Two North Hollywood news items melded into one last night when, as reported on LAist, a US Marshal walked in on a robbery in progress at an auto parts store in NoHo Arts, fatally shooting one suspect who is believed to be the "Skeleton Bandit."

The robber had recently unsuccessfully held up a local Jack in the Box and a mini mart dressed in an outfit initially described as a skeleton costume, but as reported today in the Daily News, his garb was "a sweatsuit with a green skeleton outline on front and back and a hood with an outline of a green skull that zipped up to conceal his face."

It is estimated that other recent heists helmed by the "Skeleton Bandit" had netted the robber just under $700; one score at the H&K Mini Market on Sherman Way garnered the thief a mere $9.

The Marshal took aim at the robber when he emerged from the AutoZone store at Vineland and Magnolia shortly before 6 last night; he "was holding a large amount of money and a butcher knife," reports cbs2.com. He died later at the hospital from his injuries.

A second suspect allegedly fled the scene, and a manhunt was initiated. It is unclear if the fleeing man was apprehended or remains at large.

Photo by CarbonNYC via Flickr