Is Whitey Bulger Southern California's Bank-Robbing 'Geezer Bandit?'

By Dennis Romero Thu., Jun. 30 2011 at 4:14 PM

Sky News

Bulger vs. Geezer.

Is Whitey Bulger Southern California's famous "Geezer Bandit" bank robber?

The notorious Boston mob boss portrayed by Jack Nicholson in The Departed did allegedly have $800,000 in cash stashed in his rent-controlled Santa Monica pad when the authorities finally tracked him down after years being one of the FBI's most wanted men.

It certainly appears to be an angle the FBI is looking at:

"It has been suggested," FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller. "The Geezer Bandit is still being sought."

Possible clues:

-Bulger is around 5 feet, 8 inches tall. The Geezer is described as 5-10 plus.

-They both appear to be old white men.

-The Geezer is believed to have hit banks from San Diego to Bakersfield and beyond, making Santa Monica a potentially central base for such a suspect.

-Speculation on Bulger's possible role as the Geezer goes back to 2006, way before we even knew he was in SoCal for sure.

But, Eimiller notes this fact:

"He (the Geezer) is believed to be wearing a mask so its not necessarily confirmed it is an elderly person."

Still, where did all that cash allegedly in Bulger's possession come from? Old proceeds from Boston?

The FBI in Boston wouldn't comment, stating that Bulger's case is now in the hands of prosecutors at the U.S. Attorney's office.

[@dennisjromero/djromero@laweekly.com]

Tags:

bank robber, Boston, FBI, Geezer Bandit, Jack Nicholson, mob, most wanted, robbery, Santa Monica, the Departed, Whitey Bulger

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kevin

C'mon! Really? Dennis Romero's horseshit brand of sensationalism strikes again. Sure, he links to a SkyNews article that makes the ridiculous supposition. But to repeat it doesn't absolve Mr. Romero of the guilt of irresponsible reporting. There simply isn't anything credible in saying Bulger is the geezer bandit, aside from his being old and being a criminal. The last time I took my least-favorite news reporter to task for the crap he comes up with, he denigrated the Weekly of old and their editorial choices. It's a brave new world, I guess.

Dennis Romero

I linked to SkyNews because it asked the question first. It wasn't the only outlet to do so. I talked to the FBI in L.A. and Boston -- after receiving a tip from a source in a position to know -- and this is a possibility they've explored, as I make clear, and maybe discounted. It's all there on the page, kevin.

I didn't denigrate the Weekly of old, I simply pointed out a few things that the Village Voice Media haters seem to forget. But it's good of you to grab any old occasion to vent.

It's nice to know that I rank as someone's least-favorite news reporter. And still you read and comment, kevin. Way to register your disgust.