A man, Charles Chukwuma Onwuemelie, 29, given the “title” the “Blue Cloth Bandit” for his alleged habit of using a cloth to cover a handgun during a string of more than five dozen r%bberies over a span of nearly two years, has been arrested in Los Angeles, U.S.
According to a statement by the Los Angeles Police Department, Charles was arrested at his residence on Saturday and he was being held on $1.4 million bail. The statement added that 68 r%bbery cases have been attributed by investigators to the same suspect.
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“The r%bberies have occurred throughout Los Angeles County and the city of Los Angeles. During their investigation, detectives discovered that the suspect commonly used a blue cloth to cover the handgun used in the r%bberies that occurred at gas stations, 7-Elevens and Walmarts. The suspect would conceal himself by wearing different hats, a face mask and rubber gloves.”
According to the police, the same vehicle was involved in many of the robberies, and the same suspect was linked to the series of crimes “based on several factors.”
“When the suspect struck again on Friday, September 23rd, detectives formulated a plan, initiated surveillance and ultimately served a search and arrest warrant.”
Charles was arrested at his residence and evidence linking him to the r%bberies was also recovered at the scene, including a firearm. However, on Tuesday, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office filed 16 counts of r%bbery against him for the crimes that occurred in the city of Los Angeles.
