Robber hits Chase bank on Midway Police officials are hunting for a suspect who robbed the Chase bank at 3609 Midway Drive on Dec 31, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation is now asking for the public’s help in identifying the robber. Investigators said the man walked up to a teller around 3:20 p.m. and produced a demand note. The suspect was given an undisclosed amount of money before the man fled the bank southbound through the parking lot, then eastbound on Kemper Street. The suspect is described as a white male about 30 years old with a medium build, about 5 foot 8 inches to 5 foot 10 inches tall, weighing about 170 pounds with salt-and-pepper eyebrows. Investigators said the man had a pony tail and sported a light beard with stubble. The man was last seen wearing a surgical mask and a construction hat, a light-colored shirt and blue jeans. No injuries were reported. Anyone with information is urged to call (858) 565 1255. ‘Mr. Magoo Bandit’ fesses up to crimes Scott James Larson, 43, pleaded guilty Dec. 20 to 12 bank robberies in the “Mr. Magoo Bandit” series that included two holdups at the US Bank site on Rosecrans Street. U.S. Magistrate Louisa Porter set Larson’s sentencing for Feb. 21 at the downtown federal courthouse. Larson, of San Diego, remains in custody on $75,000 bail. He faces a maximum sentence of 20 years for each bank robbery, but his attorney, Jason Ser, said Larson won’t get the maximum because he surrendered to the Federal Bureau of Investigation on Oct. 18 and was cooperative with authorities. Larson also pleaded guilty to bank robberies in Northern California, the Los Angeles area and one in Henderson, Nev. Larson waived having to appear before judges in those other areas, so the sentence he gets will include all the holdups in the series. “He saved them considerable time and effort,” said Ser. The total amount taken was nearly $21,400, according to court records. The Point Loma bank lost more than $6,000 in the two robberies on July 12 and Aug. 10. It’s not yet known if any of the money was recovered. The prosecutor declined comment. Larson may have surrendered because the FBI released 18 photographs of the so-called “Mr. Magoo Bandit” on Aug. 11 to seek the public’s assistance in identifying the robber. Larson surprised FBI agents on Oct. 18 when he showed up at their offices and acknowledged he was the bandit they were looking for. —Neal Putnam OB Branch Library closes through Feb. 13 The Ocean Beach Branch Library was closed for refurbishment Dec. 24 and is expected to remain so through Feb. 13, according to the Friends of the Ocean Beach Library. The library is undergoing re-roofing, repainting and re-carpeting, and should be open in mid-February, barring delays or inclement weather. In the interim, already checked-out library materials can be returned to any San Diego public library branch.  Reserved items will be sent to the Hervey/Point Loma Branch Library, located at 3701 Voltaire St. For more information, call Robert Cronk at (619) 531-1532. Dining deals bountiful with restaurant week San Diegans might want to put that New Year’s resolution to diet on hold just for another week or two. San Diego Restaurant Week returns to ring in the new year with great deals on two-course, prix-fixe lunch options for $10, $15 or $20 and three-course, prix-fixe dinner deals for $20, $30 or $40 between Jan. 15 and Jan. 20 at participating restaurants. The biannual weeklong event offers discounted prices on cuisine options from around the world without having to leave the comfort of your own backyard — whether that be the beach communities or downtown. San Diego Restaurant Week offers culinary delights to cater to any palate. Here’s a taste of some of the options locally: • BO-beau kitchen+bar, 4996 W. Point Loma Blvd., (619) 224-2884, www.cohnrestaurants.com, $30 dinner • Devine Pastabilities, 3545 Midway Drive, (619) 523-5441, www.torpasta.com, $10 lunch • Island Prime, 880 Harbor Island Drive, (619) 298-6802, www.cohnrestaurants.com, $40 dinner No tickets or passes are required to take advantage of the deals. Simply show up at a participating restaurant location or call ahead to make a reservation. For a complete list of participating restaurants, visit www.sandiegorestaurantweek.com.