A 71-year-old serial bank robber who has previously spent more than 40 years in jail for similar offenses was taken into custody again by Los Angeles authorities, according to CBS News. The Los Angeles Police Department announced in a statement that Bruce Edward Bell, 71, was arrested on December 23 during a bank robbery in Sun Valley.
According to the authorities, Bell entered the building, grabbed a worker, and then pointed a revolver. The worker was then told to proceed in the direction of a door with restricted access. Then he allegedly “demanded entry into the secure area and stated he would otherwise shoot the employee,” according to reports.
The 71-year-old defendant, according to authorities, ordered another employee to put cash into his bag after entering the restricted area. He then made off with more than $60,000.
Bell reportedly sped away in a 2002 silver Volvo vehicle, according to witnesses who contacted 911. After a while, responding police noticed the car and “conducted a high-risk traffic stop.” Additionally, according to police, after searching Bell’s car, the responding cops detained him and found a black fake gun and $64,000 in cash.
Authorities claim that Bell has spent more than 40 years in the Federal Department of Corrections after being found guilty of bank robbery four times in the past.
“Bell was released in July 2021 and was on supervised release at the time of his arrest,” the LAPD also stated. “Investigators believe there are other victims of robbery by Bell who have yet to be identified.”