FBI LINKS SUSPECT TO JUNE ROBBERY OF BANK IN LANCASTER.

Byline: Bhavna Mistry Daily News Staff Writer

A second suspect in a bank takeover robbery in Lancaster is in FBI custody after his arrest by Gardena police investigating a hit-and-run case.

Officials said Lamont Tyshawn Tarkington, 26, of Los Angeles was arrested Thursday afternoon following a short pursuit in which he hit a bus bench and three parked cars, ran into a friend's apartment and finally surrendered.

Through fingerprints, officials identified Tarkington as one of three suspects wanted for the June 18 takeover robbery of a Lancaster Bank of America, where the suspect was photographed carrying a walkie-talkie and an automatic weapon.

``This is one less person we have to find,'' said FBI investigator Charles Empey. ``It's good to have him in custody.''

On Aug. 28, the FBI arrested Delfone Lafayette Goodman, 22, of Los Angeles, who was in Los Angeles police custody on unrelated matters.

Agents are still seeking Michael Bernard Brown, 19, of Los Angeles, who has been identified as the third suspect.

``We believe he's still floating around the Los Angeles area,'' Empey said. ``At this point he's still at large.''

Officials said the three suspects walked into the Bank of America at 1028 W. Ave. K and ordered everyone inside to the floor.

As Tarkington watched over the customers with the assault-style weapon, his companion jumped the counter and began emptying cash drawers, investigators said. The men fled in a black 1997 Toyota Camry, which had been registered to a Budget Rent-a-Car office, according to officials' reports.

The trio was dubbed the ``trash can bandits'' because the men scooped cash into a wastepaper basket.

All three were indicted Friday in federal court on charges of conspiracy and one count of bank robbery.

Tarkington and Goodman are being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles and are expected to appear before a judge on Sept. 22 for a post-indictment arraignment.