Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has apprehended 61-year-old Joseph Bennett in connection with a bank robbery and a subsequent attempted robbery in Los Angeles County, as per multiple reports. On June 21, Bennett allegedly entered the California Bank and Trust in Acton and feigned possessing a firearm to coerce a teller into handing over a sum of money, KTLA reports. "Fearing the suspect was armed with a firearm, the teller complied with the suspects demands," the Sheriff's Department stated.
Officials say that months later, on November 21, Bennett confronted a woman outside the Northrup Grumman Credit Union in Palmdale and demanded her purse while brandishing a handgun. According to CBS News, "When the victim refused to hand over her purse, the suspect physically assaulted her with his fists." The woman managed to escape and take down part of Bennett's license plate number, which ultimately led to his identification and arrest.
Detailed disclosures by the Sheriff's Information Bureau confirm that Bennett was taken into custody while driving in Palmdale after diligent investigation by the LASD’s Major Crimes Bureau. He was apprehended without incident on November 27. The inquiry involved searching a vehicle and a nearby residence where Bennett was suspected to be staying, yielding evidence purportedly connected to both crimes.
Following the presentation of the case facts to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and collaboration with the FBI, felony charges for robbery and attempted robbery have been filed against Bennett. He is currently held on $250,000 bail. The authorities have encouraged anyone with additional insights into the crimes to reach out to the Major Crimes Bureau or, for those wishing confidentiality, to contact Crime Stoppers with any pertinent information.
