On Tuesday, a man was arrested after he allegedly robbed a bank in Acton and assaulted a woman at a credit union in Palmdale in November. 

Last month, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Major Crimes Bureau, Metro Detail detectives and LASD Palmdale Station detectives responded to the California Bank and Trust in Acton, in response to a reported bank robbery.

A black man entered the bank wearing a surgical mask and approached a teller.  

The suspect simulated that he had a firearm and demanded that the teller fill a bag with money, according to officials. 

 Fearing the suspect was armed with a firearm, the teller complied with the suspect’s demands.  

The suspect fled the bank with several hundred dollars in stolen US currency, added officials. 

On Thursday, Nov. 21, LASD Palmdale Station patrol deputies responded to the Northrup Grumman Credit Union located in the 4100 block of Sierra Highway in Palmdale. 

 The suspect allegedly confronted a woman as she was walking back to her vehicle after conducting business inside the bank.  

The suspect, armed with a handgun, demanded her purse, according to officials. 

When the victim refused to hand over her purse, the suspect physically assaulted her with his fists.  

The victim was able to get into her vehicle and flee the location. The suspect got into a white-colored pickup truck and drove off.  

The victim was able to obtain a partial license plate of the suspect’s vehicle as it fled the scene.  

The suspect did not obtain any property in this attempted robbery, added officials. 

Working together, Palmdale Station and Metro Detail detectives worked closely to identify a possible suspect believed to be responsible for the robbery incidents. 

 Utilizing various law enforcement resources, detectives were able to identify Joseph Bennett, 61, as the person they believed to be responsible for both robberies.  

On Wednesday, Nov. 27, the suspect was located in the city of Palmdale driving the vehicle used during the initial attempted robbery. 

 A traffic stop was conducted, and Bennett was arrested without incident, according to officials. 

A search of the vehicle and a nearby residence he was believed to be staying at, revealed evidence believed to be used during both robberies.

On Tuesday, Dec. 3, the facts of this case were presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Antelope Valley Court Branch in collaboration with the FBI- Los Angeles Field Division.  

Upon reviewing the facts of this case, felony charges of robbery and attempted robbery were filed against Bennett in relation to both robberies. 

Bennett remains in custody on $250,000 bail, added officials. 

Anyone who may have witnessed either incident or may have information regarding this case are encouraged to contact Major Crimes Bureau, Metro Detail at (562) 946-7037, or if you would like to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477, or online at www.p3tips.com.

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