Bank Robbery Suspect ‘Tennis Elbow Bandit’ Captured

"Bank Robbery Suspect ‘Tennis Elbow Bandit’ Captured"
 

Los Angeles: On July 7, 2000, a lone suspect described as male White, blond hair, brown eyes, 5’10/6′ 1", 170/180 lbs., unshaven, wearing a pull over shirt and old blue jeans robbed Hawthorne Savings at 19300 Ventura Boulevard, in Tarzana. The suspect used a demand note and fled with a small amount of money. This crime was investigated by the Robbery-Homicide Division Robbery Special Section (RHD/RSS), Bank Section and the FBI.
On July 21, 2000, the same suspect struck again at a Bank of America in the City of Glendale. The suspect’s description and method of operation were similar in each case.
Robbery-Homicide Division detectives and FBI Special Agents assigned to investigate these crimes during the following five months noticed that this suspect using a demand note was responsible for nine bank robberies in the Valley Area and the City of Glendale.
FBI Special Agents and RHD detectives dubbed this bandit the "Tennis Elbow Bandit" based on his M/O and that he once wore a tennis type brace on his left elbow.
The "Tennis Elbow Bandit" by January 2001 had successfully robbed 10 banks.
In December 2001, the FBI sought the assistance of the public through the media in an attempt to identify and arrest the "Tennis Elbow Bandit".
Immediately following the media broadcast, the frequency of the bank robberies was greatly reduced.
On January 3, 2002, a lone male White using a demand note robbed a Pic N Save store located in the 9700 block of Laurel Canyon Boulevard. The suspect and the M/O resembled that of the "Tennis Elbow Bandit."
By February 2002, the "Tennis Elbow Bandit" had robbed a Payless Shoe Store in the 12800 block of Sherman Way, and another Pic N Save in the 13000 block of Sherman Way.
On February 21, 2002, RHD/RSS assumed the investigative responsibility for this new series of business robberies in the Valley Area. After an in-depth investigation, RHD/RSS determined that the "Tennis Elbow Bandit", who had committed 22 bank robberies in the City, was also the same bandit responsible for the new series of business robberies in the City and a series of robberies in Glendale, Burbank, Sun Valley, La Cresenta and Universal City.
RHD/RSS initiated five stakeouts at selected locations in the targeted area. The RHD Crime Analysis Unit (CAD) worked continuously profiling, mapping, and updating Crime Alert Bulletins for distribution to patrol officers, parole, probation agencies and other law enforcement agencies throughout the region.
RHD detectives requested that Burbank and Glendale Police Departments mirror the operation in their areas. The operation consisted of personnel from each involved entity organizing their personnel into surveillance units targeting commercial businesses and selected banks. This joint effort was comprised of approximately 150 officers, special agents and civilian personnel.
On Wednesday, June 12, 2002, following a morning roll call and deployment of all units to their respective areas, the "Tennis Elbow Bandit" was observed by one of the deployed taskforce units at 11:55 a.m., driving a red two-door 1988 Toyota Corolla. The suspect was positively identified as the "Tennis Elbow Bandit" and subsequently arrested in the 2600 block of Victory Boulevard. The "Tennis Elbow Bandit", identified as 47-year old Terrence Miller, was arrested for the commission of 37 robberies and booked at Parker Center Jail.
On Friday, June 14, 2002, Deputy District Attorney Frank Tavelman filed a total of 37 counts of robbery against Miller which included 15 bank robberies and 11 business robberies in the City of Los Angeles, 7 bank robberies and 1 business robbery in the City of Burbank and 3 bank robberies in the City of Glendale. Bail was set at $1,345.000.00.
This press release was prepared by Public Information Officer Jason Lee, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.