Police: Robber caught on video

Police say description matches prolific robber

TURLOCK -- A man matching the description of the "Band-Aid Bandit," said to be responsible for more than 20 Central Valley and Bay Area robberies, struck a Turlock drug store Wednesday afternoon, officials said.

Authorities believe it's his second of the week. Police say he hit a Subway sandwich shop in Tracy on Monday. The robberies started in Turlock in June.

"We are asking the public to get involved," said Sgt. Steve Williams, Turlock police spokesman. "If you see anybody that looks anything close to what this person looks like, please call us."

In many of the Turlock robberies, Williams said, the thief targets stores near major roads for a speedy getaway.

About 12:20 p.m. Wednesday, Turlock police received a report of an armed robbery at Longs Drug Store, 2405 Geer Road.

Police say a man entered Longs, approached a clerk and displayed a black revolver before taking the money.

He was seen running south from the store, Williams said, possibly to a getaway car. As in other "Band-Aid Bandit" robberies, no one was injured, but authorities say the robber should be considered armed and dangerous.

The robber was described as 20 to 25 years old, about 5 feet 11 inches to 6 feet 1 inch tall, and weighing 180 to 190 pounds, Williams said. He usually wears a T-shirt and baseball cap and sometimes puts a Band-Aid under his left eye. He wore a Band-Aid on Wednesday, Williams said.

Wednesday's robbery makes 22 that authorities say the "Band-Aid Bandit" has carried out in the Central Valley and Bay Area since June. The businesses range from fast-food restaurants to stores.

Police say he started in Turlock, robbing three businesses from June to August. Stores in Manteca, Ceres, Lathrop, Tracy and Livermore have been hit. Robberies in Manteca took place in August and September in a UPS store, Postal Annex and a Pak 'n Save. Police say he also was responsible for a Walgreens Drug Store robbery in Tracy on Oct. 10.

Police recently linked him to nine Bay Area robberies: three each in Sunnyvale, San Jose and Santa Clara, said Tracy police Detective Timothy Bauer.

Local investigators are working closely with other law enforcement agencies to identify the robber, who often enters stores carrying a plastic bag, police say. He puts the bag on the counter, asks for change for $1, and then displays a handgun. He reaches over and pulls the money from the cash drawer, puts the cash in the bag and leaves.

The robber has been unusually prolific, Williams said, particularly considering the amount of publicity the spree has attracted.

Crime Stoppers in Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties each are offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the robber's identity.

Because the robber's identity is a mystery, investigators have not ruled out the possibility that the robberies "could be copycat crimes, or that a number of people with similar descriptions are working together," Williams said.

"All we know for sure about today's incident is that Longs was definitely robbed," he said. "And we are making it a priority in our investigations unit to identify the suspect."

Police ask anyone with information about this or other "Band-Aid Bandit" robberies to call Turlock police Detective Michael Parmley at 668-5550, ext. 6793, or Crime Stoppers at 521-4636. Tipsters can e-mail tips via www.modestopolice.com/CrimeStoppers, or text them to CRIMES (274637) by typing "Tip704" plus the message. Tipsters can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.