Los Angeles, Calif --The "Salt & Pepper" bandit, linked to 17 Southland bank robberies since Jan. 5, was arrested Wednesday, according to the FBI.
After a Seal Beach bank robbery on Jan. 10, detectives in that city were able to develop information identifying the bandit, who got his nickname because of his graying hair, as Brian Keith Robinson, 49, of Los Angeles.
Robinson was arrested at an unidentified residence this afternoon, said Laura Eimiller of the FBI.
Eimiller said Robinson's arrest was the result of leads generated from media coverage.
During the robberies, the bandit threatened to start shooting if the victim tellers did not comply with his demands for cash. He verbally demanded money, and gave the tellers a note.
The suspect allegedly continued to rob banks after being identified by name and elude capture for several weeks.
Robinson is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles Friday.
Robinson is suspected of robbing the First Federal Bank branch at 9618 W. Pico Blvd., between Beverly and Beverwil drives, on Feb. 2 and 6.
Robinson is also suspected in the following robberies:
-- U.S. Bank, at 3302 W. Pico Blvd., on Jan. 1;
-- Cal National Bank, at 2566 Overland Ave., on Jan. 6;
-- Washington Mutual, at 310 N. Fairfax Ave., on Jan. 6;
-- Citibank, at 16001 Ventura Blvd., on Jan. 8;
-- Union Bank, at 2001 Wilshire Blvd., on Jan. 8;
-- Washington Mutual, at 13900 Seal Beach Blvd., on Jan. 10;
-- Wells Fargo, at 6245 Wilshire Blvd., on Jan. 15;
-- Citibank, at 10680 W. Pico Blvd., on Jan. 15;
-- First Federal, at 464 N. Fairfax, on Jan. 16;
-- Washington Mutual, at 2701 Wilshire Blvd., on Jan. 17;
-- First Bank, at 2701 Wilshire Blvd., on Jan. 20;
-- Citibank, at 1201 N. Central Ave., on Jan. 22;
-- Bank of America, at 11501 Santa Monica Blvd., on Jan. 24;
-- Bank of America, at 3012 N. Sepulveda Blvd., on Jan. 24.
Several agencies, in addition to the FBI, investigated the case, including the Los Angeles Police Department, the Seal Beach Police Department, the Santa Monica Police Department, the Covina Police Department, the Beverly Hills Police Department, the Glendale Police Department and the Manhattan Beach Police Department.
