Pictured Above: Stare Down Bandit. Source: FBI.

On Monday, a man authorities call the “Stare Down Bandit” attempted to rob a bank in Huntington Beach by giving the teller a note and demanding money and then staring her down before leaving. He was unsuccessful in robbing the teller in Huntington Beach and left without receiving any money from the bank. He then went to a bank in Irvine and also gave the teller a note demanding money. In his second attempt to rob a bank that day, the man was successful and left the bank with an undisclosed amount of money. Authorities are still looking for the Stare Down Bandit, who may be tied to other bank robberies in the area.

The crime of bank robbery is the taking of money by force, violence or by intimidation from a bank, credit union or savings and loan association. Since most banks are federally insured, bank robbery is usually a federal crime and is usually a punishable felony. Usually, when a bank robber uses a note to demand money, it is considered using force or intimidation to get money. Convictions of bank robbery come with a jail or prison sentence, restitution and fees, and probation. A common defense to bank robbery is mistaken identity. If you are charged with robbery, contact an experienced criminal defense attorney right away to assist you.