Police Arrest Serial Bank Robber Accused of Hitting Up Chase Bank in Cerritos

An bank robbery suspect, known as the “Puffy Coat Bandit,” who is wanted in connection with a series of seven linked bank robberies in the Southland, including one in Cerritos, is in custody tonight.

Steven Dwayne Paulson, 46, of Pomona was detained by a Upland police detective this afternoon and is currently being held on a parole violation. He is expected to be charged in connection with the bank robberies Wednesday, according to FBI spokesperson Laura Eimiller. 

Paulson is believed to be responsible for seven bank robberies that occurred between Dec. 20, 2011 and Jan. 9, 2012:

-- Dec. 20 at a U.S. Bank branch in Chino;   

-- Dec. 22 at Premier Service Bank in Corona;   

-- Dec. 28 at Mission Oaks Bank in Lake Elsinore;   

-- Dec. 30 at ;   

-- Jan. 3 at ;   

-- Jan. 7 at the same U.S. Bank robbed in Chino on Dec. 20; and  

-- Jan. 9 at a Comerica Bank in Rancho Cucamonga.  

The puffy ski jacket the suspect wore in at least one crime helped FBI agents come up with a nickname. In other holdups, he wore a plaid jacket and a baseball cap or a knit beanie, Eimiller said.

Most of the time, the robber used a demand note and, in some crimes, he simulated having a weapon under his coat, Eimiller added. He may have escaped in a gold- or copper-colored Ford Taurus, or a black Oldsmobile Alero with a spoiler.

Images of the "Puffy Coat Bandit" were released to the public earlier today to help assist the multiple law enforcement agencies in the counties of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside conducting investigations into the banks robbed in their respective jurisdictions. 

A few hours later, a detective with the Upland Police Department detained a driver matching the description of the suspect, who was driving a suspected vehicle. Further investigation by Upland police and the FBI resulted in Paulson's arrest. 

Authorities believe the getaway cars in the robberies may have been driven by another male who looks similar to the robber, but Eimiller said an investigation will continue to determine whether an accomplice was knowingly involved in the hold-ups.

Anyone with more information in this case is urged to call the FBI at (888) CANT HIDE, or 911.

- City News Service contributed to this report.