Detectives Arrest Stun-gun Bandit NR10027pv

January 20, 2010

Los Angeles.  Los Angeles police detectives arrested Lester Robert Evans, 68, yesterday, January 19, 2010, during a bank robbery investigation.  Evidence found in the robber’s apartment helped to tie the parolee to the December boutique robbery, where the suspect was captured on video shocking the young clerk with a stun gun.

"We had a feeling this guy would surface eventually," said Lt. Paul Vernon, who is in charge of detectives in downtown Los Angeles.  "It just turns out he decided to rob a bank where he had his account."

Officers broadcast the robber’s description over the radio, which in part was "a White man in his  sixties."  Within a few minutes, officers had the name of a local man who was on parole for bank robbery, Lester Robert Evans.

"As I rolled up at the bank, my robbery detective drove by and said, ‘What do you think lieutenant?  Stun-gun bandit?’ and darned if he wasn’t right," added Lt. Vernon. "The description of the bank robber was just too co-incidental."

Detectives verified Evans was on parole for bank robbery and went to his apartment in the 400 block of East 7th Street in Skid Row.  Detectives arrived within minutes of the robbery and found Evans in the company of a woman.  Detectives searched the apartment and seized evidence that linked the parolee to the bank robbery as well as the boutique robbery.

"Two robberies in two months and a convicted bank robber to boot; we’ll be looking closely to see if he’s responsible for any other robberies," Lt Vernon said. "Downtown businesses should be much safer with him behind bars."
    
Evans was booked for the bank robbery and no bail was set as he is on parole. Detectives will also present the boutique robbery case from December 15, 2009, to prosecutors.

Anyone with information is urged to call Central robbery detective Al Rasch at 213-972-1245.  During non-business hours, call 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call Crimestoppers at 800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may contact Crimestoppers by texting the number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters "LAPD." Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.