Home » Santa Clarita News » Crime » ‘Seasoned Bandit’ Trial Set For February, Includes 10 Counts Of Bank Robbery
The Sheriff’s Department’s Major Crimes Bureau detectives released photos Thursday seeking to identify a man they believe is responsible for a series of bank robberies, including two in Santa Clarita.
‘Seasoned Bandit’ Trial Set For February, Includes 10 Counts Of Bank Robbery

‘Seasoned Bandit’ Trial Set For February, Includes 10 Counts Of Bank Robbery

The “Seasoned Bandit” is scheduled to appear in court for the first time after being indicted for 10 bank robberies, including hitting a Santa Clarita Wells Fargo — twice.


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James Allen Hayes, 55, pleaded not guilty in October to charges of 10 bank robberies and one count of attempted bank robbery. The “Seasoned Bandit” held up five banks and credit unions throughout the Santa Clarita Valley, according to the United States Attorney’s Office.

The trial is scheduled to begin on Feb. 27 at 9 a.m. in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles, said Thom Mrozek, spokesperson.

Hayes went on a five-month bank robbery spree from April to September of 2017, stringing up almost a dozen financial institutions along the way, according to prosecutors.

The hit list included five banks in Santa Clarita, including California Credit Union and Logix in Valencia, a Wescom Credit Union in Stevenson Ranch, a Chase Bank in Newhall and a two-hitter at the Wells Fargo on Lyons Avenue.

Other banks allegedly robbed by the Seasoned Bandit range in location from Santa Maria to the Pacific Palisades, according to the U.S. District Court.

Hayes came out with a total of almost $40,000 spread over the series of robberies, said prosecutors.

Arrest records show that Hayes was taken into custody by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department around 10:30 p.m. on Oct. 2.

The FBI had placed a license plate reader camera at the intersection of Chiquito Canyon Road and Henry Mayo Drive along the 126, which they believed to be the Seasoned Bandit’s most likely route between robberies in Los Angeles County and Santa Barbara County, according to the FBI.

On Sep. 25, approximately 15 minutes after the second robbery attempt of the Wells Fargo Bank, a California license plate registered to the suspect was recorded as driving westbound, read the indictment.

If Hayes is convinced on each count, he could be sentenced up to 220 years in prison, said prosecutors.

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‘Seasoned Bandit’ Trial Set For February, Includes 10 Counts Of Bank Robbery

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About Devon Miller

Devon Miller was born and raised in Santa Clarita. He joined KHTS Radio as a digital marketing intern in September of 2017, and later moved to news as a staff writer in December. Miller attended College of the Canyons and served as the Associated Student Government President. Miller is now News Director for KHTS, covering breaking news and politics across the Santa Clarita Valley.