Crime & Safety

'Puffy Coat Bandit' Arrested in Upland

The robbery suspect was identified as Steven Dwayne Paulson of Pomona.

LOS ANGELES (CNS) - A 46-year-old Pomona man suspected of being the "Puffy Coat Bandit" was arrested today in Upland.

A detective with the Upland Police Department detained a driver matching the description of the suspect who was driving the vehicle that had been sought, according to Laura Eimiller of the FBI.

Further investigation by the Upland police and FBI resulted in the arrest of Steven Dwayne Paulson.

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He is being held on a parole violation and is expected to be charged with the bank robberies Wednesday, Eimiller said. It is not clear if there was an accomplice, Eimiller said.

The robber was wanted in seven holdups in Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties over the past three weeks, Eimiller said.

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The puffy ski jacket he wore in at least one robbery helped FBI agents come up with a nickname. In other holdups, he wore a plaid jacket and a baseball cap or a knit beanie, Eimiller said.

The "Puffy Coat Bandit" is suspected of robberies:

-- Dec. 20 at a U.S. Bank branch in Chino;

-- Dec. 22 at Premier Service Bank in Corona;

-- Dec. 28 at Mission Oaks Bank in Lake Elsinore;

-- Dec. 30 at ;

-- Last Tuesday at ;

-- Saturday at the same U.S. Bank robbed in Chino on Dec. 20;

-- Monday at a Comerica Bank in Rancho Cucamonga. Most of the time the robber used a demand note and, in some crimes, he simulated having a weapon under his coat, Eimiller said. Anyone with more information on the robberies was urged to call the FBI at (888) CANT HIDE, or 911.

- City News Service


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