Mission Viejo man arrested in summertime bank robbery spree

A 30-year-old Mission Viejo man suspected in at least six Orange County bank robberies or attempted robberies was arrested last week during the final attempted robbery, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department said Monday, Aug 26.

The suspect was arrested Friday, Aug. 23 while attempting to rob a U.S. Bank on the 5000 block of East Santa Ana Canyon Road in Anaheim, authorities said.

He is accused of two bank robberies in Mission Viejo and Ladera Ranch and four additional attempted robberies, all in July and August, the  Sheriff’s Department said.

The agency said that:

• On July 8, the suspect allegedly robbed a Mission Viejo bank on the 26000 block of Marguerite Parkway and attempted to rob another bank in Ladera Ranch in the 27000 block of Crown Valley Parkway.
• There was an attempted bank robbery at a bank in Ladera Ranch on Aug. 6.
• On Aug. 7, the suspect is accused of robbing a bank in Ladera Ranch, followed by an attempted robbery at a bank in Mission Viejo.
• Then on Aug. 23, the suspect was arrested while he attempted to rob the U.S. Bank in Anaheim.

The suspect presented a note in each bank robbery, Sgt. Frank Gonzalez said. Details on whether any weapons were used or the reported amount stolen were  not released.

Investigators believe the suspect may have been involved in additional bank robberies outside of Orange County. Anyone with information is asked to call the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at (714) 647-7000 or submit an anonymous tip to Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227).