Police: Brazen band of armed robbers hit 23 banks in past 6 months

PASADENA, Calif. (KABC) -- Police are looking for the public's help to catch a band of armed robbers who have been linked to at least 23 bank robberies in Southern California over the last six months.

Surveillance video shows the men pointing guns at bank tellers, shoving cash into a bag and hurtling counters to take money.

Investigators are concerned the group of at least three men are becoming bolder and may escalate into violence. Police say they often hand over robbery notes that threaten to kill everybody in the bank.

"The series started out as a lone suspect passing a threatening demand note and has since evolved into a crew of at least three armed suspects who have escalated their crimes to takeover-style robberies," said Lt. Jim Seltzer with the Los Angeles Police Department.

Multiple law enforcement agencies are working on the case. The FBI has offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspects.

Officials say the robbers have stolen thousands of dollars from banks in Pasadena, Long Beach, Torrance, Cerritos and others.

"What we would like to do is bring this thing to a conclusion so that nobody does get hurt," said LAPD Det. Steve Coleman.

Police asked anyone with information to call (877)LAPD-24-7.