by Carl Baker on 2013-12-18
Redlands Police arrested a prolific robbery suspect the FBI dubbed the “Button-down Bandit,” who is alleged to have held up six Southern California banks since Nov. 15.
David Michael Younger, 49, of Corona, was arrested Dec. 11 in Montclair, two days after the Pacific Western Bank at 218 E. State St. was robbed.
Shortly after 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 9, a white male described as being in his 40s with sandy blond hair, wearing a buttoned, collared shirt and blue jeans, entered the Pacific Western Bank branch and passed a note to the teller demanding cash.
He left the bank with the money. Witnesses said he fled in a silver Mercedes SUV. Witnesses provided police with a license plate number that was traced to a Hertz rental car agency and linked to Younger.
Last Wednesday, Redlands Police, with assistance from Montclair Police Department, attempted to contact Younger at a residence in Montclair. Younger saw police at the residence as he approached in his vehicle and a pursuit ensued with Redlands and Montclair police. The pursuit ended at San Antonio Avenue and La Deney Street in Montclair, where Younger was taken into custody.
Younger is suspected in five other bank robberies since Nov. 15 in Yorba Linda, Corona, Riverside, La Quinta and Seal Beach. He was dubbed the Button-down Bandit for the button-down shirts he usually wore during the robberies.
Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Detective Chad Mayfield at 909-798-7671 or Redlands Police Dispatch at 909-798-7681. Anonymous tips can be provided by texting 274637 using the keyword “REDTIP.”