BREAKING NEWS:

The suspect known as the “Enormous Ears Bandit” -- believed to have robbed a Laguna Beach bank in 2005 and to have committed 13 other bank robberies -- has been caught in Arizona and is in federal custody.

The FBI’s Los Angeles branch representative, Laura Eimiller,

said an Orange County sheriff’s deputy on the bureau’s bank

robbery task force tracked Jody Alan Chism to Arizona. Police in Arizona

police made the arrest Jan. 9.

U.S. marshals transported Chism back to California, where

he is being charged with 14 bank robberies in federal district

court, Eimiller said.

Chism, who was dubbed the “Enormous Ears Bandit” by law

enforcement because of his appearance, is suspected of rob-

bing the World Savings Bank on Broadway Nov. 16, 2005 as well

as other banks along the California coast, including a First Bank

& Trust on Main Street in Huntington Beach.

Chism is accused of robbing banks in Los Angeles and Ventura counties as well.

During the robberies, the suspect allegedly slipped tellers

notes demanding $50 and $100 bills while holding his hand near

his hip to simulate having a weapon.