New Santa Ana | Category Archives: Banking

Former President of a Little Saigon bank and 15 others arrested for laundering narco money

Posted on December 11, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Banking, Crime, Federal Government, Little Saigon, Santa Ana, Vietnamese, Westminster Leave a comment

Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 10, 2015

Sixteen Named in Racketeering Indictment Alleging Money Laundering Schemes Orchestrated by Former President of Orange County Bank

Two Other Money Laundering Indictments Unsealed as Part of Operation “Phantom Bank”

Federal authorities today arrested 11 defendants named in a sweeping racketeering indictment alleging a series of money laundering schemes that revolved around the former head of Saigon National Bank, based in Westminster, California, announced Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Eileen M. Decker of the Central District of California. Four other defendants, who are named in separate indictments, were also arrested today.

The majority of the defendants arrested today are named in a racketeering indictment that was returned on Dec. 1 by a federal grand jury and unsealed today along with two other indictments returned by the grand jury over the past year. The three indictments charge a total of 20 defendants. Continue reading→

The SAPD looking for burglary suspects who used a victim’s credit card and checks

Posted on November 5, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Anaheim, Banking, Crime, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD Detectives Request Assistance In Identifying Vehicle Burglary Suspects

Synopsis: On 10/21/15 between 7:45 and 08:10am, the victim’s vehicle was burglarized on the 1100 block of W. Stevens in the City of Santa Ana. Stolen items include the victim’s identification card and an Orange County Credit Union checkbook.

At 3:07 p.m., the unknown female (Suspect #1) deposited one of the victim’s checks into a SchoolsFirst FCU ATM (590 N. Euclid St, Anaheim). At 3:52 p.m., another unknown female (Suspect #2) used the victim’s identification card and check to purchase items at Food 4 Less (2140 S. Bristol St., Santa Ana) and is accompanied by an unknown male (Suspect #3). Continue reading→

Man loses his life savings to two men who told him the cash wasn’t safe in the bank

Posted on October 17, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Banking, Crime, Santa Ana 2 Comments

Santa Ana Robbery Suspect

Two men stopped to ask a 67-year-old Santa Ana man for directions sometime last week, then struck up a conversation with the man about money, according to the O.C. Register.

The two suspects told the man that his money was not safe in the bank – and then showed him $1,500 in cash that they were holding. They then made a bet with the man that if he could withdraw his life savings from the bank without complications they would give him their money. Continue reading→

Bank robbery suspect arrested in Tustin

Posted on September 21, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Banking, Crime, Tustin Leave a comment

NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock, 714.904.7042, JHallock@ocsd.org

Carrie Braun, 714.647.1848, CBraun@ocsd.org

Bank Robbery Suspect Arrested

LAKE FOREST, Calif. (September 21, 2015) – On Monday, September 21, 2015, Orange County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Chandler Graham, 52, Los Angeles, in connection with an armed robbery at the Eagle Community Credit Union located at 23021 Lake Center Drive, in Lake Forest. Graham was arrested near the intersection of Red Hill Avenue and El Camino Real in the City of Tustin, following a short vehicle pursuit.

At approximately 10:46 a.m., Sheriff’s deputies responded to the Eagle Community Credit Union for a report of a robbery in progress. Responding deputies were provided a description of Graham and indicated he left in a tan or gold sedan. Approximately six minutes later, a deputy observed the vehicle matching the description travelling northbound Interstate 5, approaching Sand Canyon Road. The vehicle exited Tustin Ranch Road and a short vehicle pursuit ensued before the vehicle yielded near Red Hill Avenue and El Camino Real in the City of Tustin. Graham, the driver and lone occupant in the vehicle, was taken into custody without incident or injury. Continue reading→

Bandit who likes to wear hats strikes again at a bank in north Santa Ana

Posted on September 1, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Banking, Crime, FBI, Michele Martinez, Santa Ana Leave a comment

A bank robber who liked to wear hats when he commits crimes has struck again – this time he robbed the Farmers & Merchants Bank at 1750 E. Seventeenth St., in Santa Ana, on Monday at around 4:15 p.m., according to the O.C. Register. This bank is located in the parking lot of a Superior Grocers and is across the street from a Wells Fargo Bank.

The FBI believes this is the same guy who previously robbed a Farmers & Merchants in Orange on Tuesday and a Bank of the West in Santa Ana on Thursday.

The FBI has dubbed the suspect the “pre-season bandit” because he likes to wear sports caps while he robs banks. Continue reading→

Man in a sports cap suspected of robbing banks in Orange and in Santa Ana

Posted on August 28, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Banking, Crime, FBI, Orange, Santa Ana Leave a comment

A man who likes to wear sports team caps has robbed two local banks in the Cities of Orange and Santa Ana in the past week, according to the O.C. Register.

The man robbed a Farmers and Merchants bank at 1220 E. Katella Ave. this Tuesday at around 4 p.m. The Orange Police responded to that crime scene.

The man is reported to be between 25 and 30 years old. He stands about 5′ 11″ and weighs about 150 pounds. He walked into the bank wearing black sweater, blue jeans and a black Miami Heat sports cap with an orange bill, according to the Orange Police. Continue reading→

Transient robs the B of A in Downtown Santa Ana but a tracking device leads to his arrest

Posted on August 5, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Banking, Crime, FBI, Michele Martinez, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Dia Chanh Diep, a 43 year-old transient who robbed a Bank of America branch located at 102 W. Fourth Street in Downtown Santa Ana, on Tuesday at 5 p.m., was arrested minutes later because the bundle of money he stole contained a dye pack and a tracking device inside, according to the SAPD.

Diep presented the teller with a note, which stated he had a gun and demanded money. Out of fear for her safety, the teller provided the suspect with an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency. The suspect fled the location on foot. Continue reading→

Big A Bandit arrested by the FBI and he turned out to be a Santa Ana resident

Posted on July 16, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Anaheim, Banking, Crime, FBI, Fullerton, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Another embarrassment for Santa Ana. Turns out the so-called “Big A Bandit,” who got that name because he habitually wore an Angels baseball hat while committing a series of bank robberies in Orange County, lived in Santa Ana.

The man, Robert Paul Simmons, 51, was arrested on Tuesday night, FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said, according to the O.C. Register. Continue reading→

B of A Charitable Foundation awards $222K in grants to 16 O.C. nonprofits

Posted on December 3, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Banking, Charities, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Photo Credit: Mercy Housing Living Centers

December 3, 2014

Reporters May Contact: Alyssa Tran, (310) 854-8270, atran@webershandwick.com

Bank of America Charitable Foundation Awards $222,600 in Grants to 16 Orange County Nonprofit Organizations

Grants will help individuals with basic human services and build better financial lives

ORANGE COUNTY – The Bank of America Charitable Foundation today announced $222,600 in grants to 16 nonprofits in Orange County to help individuals and families build better financial lives. These grants will support the fight against hunger, access to housing and other basic human service initiatives that help communities thrive.

Basic human services, along with community and workforce development are top priorities because there is significant need in these areas in Orange County and across the country. According to the nonprofits grantees, more than 370,000 individuals will be impacted by the funding that serves low and moderate income residents. Continue reading→

Bank of America grants $155K to six Santa Ana nonprofits

Posted on September 16, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Banking, Business, Charities, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Bank of America donates to OC non profits

Bank of America Awards $155,000 in Grants to 6 Santa Ana Nonprofits Supporting Community Development

Irvine, CA – Bank of America recently provided 12 Orange County nonprofits supporting community development a total of $305,000 in grant funding. Six of the nonprofits are in the local Santa Ana area and received a total of $155,000 in funding:

• Arts Orange County
• Discovery Science Center of Orange County
• Habitat for Humanity of Orange County Inc.
• Latino Center for Prevention & Action in Health & Welfare
• Pacific Symphony Association
• OneOC (formerly Volunteer Center of Greater Orange County Inc.) Continue reading→

Snowboarder Bandit convicted of robbing ten Orange County banks

Posted on November 8, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Anaheim, Banking, Crime, irvine, OCDA, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 12HF1290: November 7, 2013

MAN DUBBED “SNOWBOARDER BANDIT” CONVICTED OF COMMITTING ROBBERIES IN 10 ORANGE COUNTY BANKS

SANTA ANA – A man dubbed the “Snowboarder Bandit” was convicted today of committing robberies in 10 Orange County banks. Michael Brandon Franks, 30, Riverside, pleaded guilty to a court offer today to 10 felony counts of second degree robbery and two felony counts of attempted second degree robbery. He faces a maximum sentence of 10 years and six months in state prison at his sentencing, Jan. 17, 2014, at 8:30 a.m. in Department C-34, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. Continue reading→

Have you seen this Santa Ana bank robber?

Posted on August 9, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Banking, Crime, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana Police Department Advisory: Bank Robbery Suspect Wanted – Chase Bank 3600 S. Bristol, Aug -8-2013

Santa Ana Police request assistance identifying- Bank Robbery Suspect Wanted – Chase Bank 3600 S. Bristol, Aug -8-2013

On 8/08/13 at about 1535 hours, the suspect entered the Chase Bank and passed a demand note to the bank teller demanding money. After the teller handed the suspect an undisclosed amount of money he fled out of the bank through the southwest door. The suspect was last seen walking north through the west parking lot. Continue reading→

Rep. Sanchez votes on college student loan rates

Posted on July 31, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Banking, Education, Loretta Sanchez, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, Representing California’s 46th Congressional District

PRESS RELEASE, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 31, 2013

MEDIA CONTACT: Barb Solish, 202-226-8373, Barb.Solish@mail.house.gov

REP. SANCHEZ ISSUES STATEMENT FOLLOWING VOTE ON STUDENT LOAN RATES

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Loretta Sanchez (CA-46) today released the following statement after voting for H.R. 1911, The Bipartisan Student Loan Certainty Act, which passed with a bipartisan vote of 392-31 in the House of Representatives today.

“Education is the foundation of opportunity and the basis of our country’s future success. A quality education system will not only enable our nation to compete in a global economy, but will also propel the country’s economic recovery. Continue reading→

Santa Ana student selected as a 2013 Bank of America Student Leader

Posted on July 23, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Banking, Education, Santa Ana, SAUSD Leave a comment

Five local Orange County High School Juniors and recent High School graduates have been chosen to take part in the 2013 Bank of America Student Leaders Program. Bank of America created its Student Leaders Program in 2004; a program that offers our nation’s high school students an opportunity to participate in a leadership program at their local community nonprofit. This year, all five students from Orange County will be interning at the Second Harvest Food Bank. Located below are this year’s Orange County recipients.

Adriana Gonzalez — Santa Ana, CA — Hector Godinez Fundamental High (will attend Cal State Fullerton)
Matthew-Dean Brian Argame — Anaheim, CA — Loara High School (will attend Cal State Long Beach) Continue reading→

FBI seeks “Chubby Cheeks” bandit who robbed a Chase Bank branch in Santa Ana

Posted on June 24, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Banking, Crime, FBI, Santa Ana Leave a comment

FBI Los Angeles
Press Release: June 24, 2013
Contact: Public Affairs Specialist Laura Eimiller, (310) 996-3343

Robbery of Chase Bank Branch in Santa Ana – Female Suspect Known as ‘Chubby Cheeks Bandit’ Sought

The Orange County Bank Robbery Apprehension Team (BRAT) is seeking assistance from the public with information leading to the arrest of a suspect known as the Chubby Cheeks Bandit, an unidentified female bank robber who robbed a Chase Bank at 4:30p.m. on June 17, 2013. Continue reading→