The police in Los Angeles, California, have arrested a Nigerian serial armed robber.
Twenty-six-year-old Charles Chukwuma Onwuemelie, popularly known as the “Blue Cloth Bandit,” was arrested on Wednesday, according to the Los Angeles Police Department, LAPD.
The police department alleges that Onwuemelie was involved in 68 armed robbery operations that took place in the Los Angeles (LA) area since October 2021.
Onwuemelie was dubbed “Blue Cloth Bandit” by LAPD in its press statement because he allegedly “used a blue cloth to cover the handgun used in the robberies that occurred at gas stations, 7-11s and Walmarts,” according to a Fox News report.
“The suspect would conceal himself by wearing different hats, a face mask, and rubber gloves. The same vehicle was used in many of the robberies, and the same suspect was linked to the robberies based on several factors.”
Blue Cloth Bandit’s last operation was on September 23 which detectives caught on camera.
Surveillance footage released by the LAPD showed the suspect appear to be making a purchase at a store before revealing his gun, canceled in a blue cloth, at the checkout counter.
He was also seen in the video wearing blue gloves and a hat that hid his face.
Evidence collected by the police at Onwuemelie’s last operation scene included a firearm and other evidence that linked the crime to the Nigerian.
The suspect has been charged with 16 counts of robbery although officials say they expect that number to increase.
