‘Mr. Magoo Bandit’ Sought in Westlake Bank Robbery

A bank robbery in Westlake Village this week was the work of the “Mr. Magoo Bandit,” who is suspected of robbing a dozen banks in the South Bay and Orange County, sheriff’s deputies said Thursday.

The bandit--nicknamed after the nearsighted cartoon character because he wears thick glasses--robbed the Coast Savings bank in the 32100 block of West Agoura Road shortly after it opened at 9 a.m. Wednesday, said Lt. Frank Woodall of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Robbery Division.

The suspect handed a teller a note demanding money after showing her a handgun concealed in a brown leather bag, Woodall said. He escaped a few minutes later with $4,400 in cash, authorities said. No shots were fired.

The man’s description matched that of a robber responsible for 11 holdups in the South Bay area and one in Anaheim between March 28 and April 4, FBI spokesman Fred Reagan said. Seven of the South Bay-area banks were robbed within a 24-hour period, Reagan said.

“We feel fairly strongly “ that the same man is responsible for all 13 robberies, Reagan said.

The suspect, believed to be in his early 30s, was described as white, with light brown hair, about 6 feet tall and weighing about 175 pounds. His face is marked with small scars, probably from acne, authorities said. He was last seen wearing a light green T-shirt and brown slacks.