71-year-old bank robber who's spent over 40 years in jail strikes again before Christmas, cops say. Santa isn't kind to him.

A 71-year-old bank robber who's spent over 40 years behind bars allegedly struck again just before Christmas in southern California.

What are the details?

Los Angeles Police said Bruce Edward Bell — a "serial bank robber" — on Dec. 21 entered a location in the 8000 block of Vineland Avenue in Sun Valley. Sun Valley is a Los Angeles neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley.

Video police provided shows the robbery took place at a bank around 10:30 a.m.

Police said Bell, who was pointing a gun, grabbed an employee and forced the employee to walk to a restricted-access door, after which Bell demanded entry into a secure area and threatened to shoot the employee.

Once inside the restricted area, police said Bell ordered another employee to fill his bag with cash, after which Bell fled with over $60,000.

Police said witnesses saw Bell drive away in a 2002 silver Volvo sedan and called 911. Responding LAPD officers spotted the suspect's vehicle and conducted a high-risk traffic stop, cops said. Soon, police stopped Bell, searched the vehicle, and uncovered a black replica gun and $64,000 in cash.

Online records show Bell was being held Wednesday on $1.6 million bond, USA Today reported, adding that it wasn't immediately known if Bell had retained an attorney.

Los Angeles Sheriff's Office records show Bell is due in court Feb. 9, the paper added.

What's the deal with this guy?

Police said Bell has four prior bank robbery convictions and has served over 40 years in the federal department of corrections. Bell was released in July 2021 and was on supervised release at the time of his arrest, police added.

Investigators believe there are other Bell robbery victims still unidentified, police said. Photographs of Bell have been released in order to identify and speak with additional individuals who may have been victimized, police added.

Police added that any victims or anyone with information about this investigation can contact Detectives Mrakich and Delph at 213-486-6840 or email RHDTIPLINE@LAPD.ONLINE. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org, police said. Also, tipsters can download the “P-3 Tips” mobile application and select the LA Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program, police said.

Serial Bank Robber Arrested - NR24010moyoutu.be

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