Man uses fake I.D. to steal cash at Manhattan Beach bank
Manhattan Beach Police believe the man pictured here used a fake license to steal $3,000 from a local bank. Photo courtesy of MBPD
Police are searching for an unidentified man who allegedly stole thousands in cash from a local bank last month using false identification.
On March 20, the suspect entered Chase Manhattan Bank at 700 S. Sepulveda Blvd. and presented a fake, out-of-state license with his photo and the name of a California resident, according to authorities.
“He just went in and asked for a $3,000 cash advance,” said Manhattan Beach Police Detective Michael Rosenberger. “It was obviously a good enough license to fool the teller and the bank obliged him.”
The suspect fled after he made the withdrawal, according to police.
The bank contacted authorities after the victim called to report the missing cash.
Bank security cameras captured photos of the suspect, but police have no other leads.
Rosenberger is hoping that members of the public will be able to help identify and locate the suspect. He said that counterfeited out-of-state licenses are not uncommon in similar incidents.
“There’s a trend toward using out-of-state licenses because we’re not familiar with them,” Rosenberger said. “There’s a better chance of getting away with it.”
Police described the suspect as age 40 to 50, 5 ft. 10 in. to 6 ft. tall with a heavy build. He is wanted on forgery and burglary charges.
In March, the MBPD arrested an Inglewood woman, Juliya Rogova, aka the “Barbie Bandit,” for allegedly using a fake I.D. to steal $700 from the same bank. The nearly six-foot tall, blonde suspect was picked up by police immediately after being released from a detention center, where she was held on prostitution charges. Rogova posted $20,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in court June 22 on forgery charges.
Anyone with information regarding either of these incidents is asked to contact MBPD Det. Rosenberger at (310) 802-5127. ER