A 71-year-old “serial bank robber” who has already spent decades in prison is back in custody after committing a new robbery in Los Angeles, police said.
Bruce Edward Bell was taken into custody on suspicion of stealing more than $60,000 in cash during a robbery at a Sun Valley-area bank on Dec. 21, Los Angeles police said.
Police said Bell, who was last released in July 2021 and was on supervised release at the time of his recent arrest, “has four previous convictions for bank robbery and is currently in the Federal Department of Corrections.” “I have worked there for over 40 years.”
The Los Angeles Police Department said Bell “entered the scene of the December robbery, grabbed the employee and pointed a gun at him.”
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Surveillance footage released by the Los Angeles Police Department shows a suspect, identified as Bruce Edward Bell, pointing a gun at employees at a bank in the Sun Valley area on December 21, 2023. (Los Angeles Police Department)
“Bell forced the employee to walk to a restricted door. Bell demanded access to the secure area or stated he would shoot the employee,” police said. added. “Once inside, Bell ordered another employee to fill a bag with cash. Bell fled the scene with more than $60,000.”
Surveillance footage released by investigators appears to show a bank employee escorting Bell behind the counter.
He then unfolded a reusable shopping bag and began gesturing while brandishing what appeared to be a handgun.
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“Investigators believe there may be other victims of Bell's robbery, but they have not yet been identified,” Los Angeles Police Department said. We are releasing a photo of Bell to talk about it.” (Los Angeles Police Department)
A drawer near one of the teller's desks opened and the suspect was seen putting items into the bag for about two minutes.
Bank employees can also be seen raising their hands during the incident.
Later, as the suspect left the bank, the person hiding under the desk emerged from the bank.
Witness of “ [the] “At the scene, Bell sped away in a silver 2002 Volvo sedan and called 911. Responding officers from the Los Angeles Police Department's Foothill Division located the suspect's vehicle and conducted a high-risk traffic stop. ” LAPD announced. He was arrested and a search of his vehicle revealed a black replica firearm and $64,000 in cash. ”
Bell currently faces kidnapping charges, police said, but bail is set at $1.6 million, according to jail records.
Bruce Bell stole more than $60,000 in a Sun Valley bank robbery, according to Los Angeles police. (Los Angeles Police Department)
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“Investigators believe there are other victims of Bell's robbery who have not yet been identified,'' the Los Angeles Police Department said.
