New Santa Ana | Category Archives: Banking

California Credit Union is offering college scholarships to O.C. students

Posted on January 11, 2022 by Editor Posted in Banking, Charities, Education Leave a comment

Glendale, CA – January 11, 2022 – California Credit Union is encouraging college-bound students in Orange County to apply for its 2022 Student Scholarship Program. Through the program, the credit union provides $20,000 in scholarships annually to recognize Southern California students who are motivated in their academic studies and active in their schools and communities.

“We encourage local students to get a head start on their education and apply for one of our scholarships,” said California Credit Union CEO Steve O’Connell. “We know the cost of higher education can be a challenge for many families, and we are proud to help these students on their path to realize their educational goals. We look forward to reviewing the many stories of inspiration in our scholarship applications.”

Orange County college-bound high school seniors and community college students transferring to a four-year university who maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 are eligible to participate. Selection criteria include academic performance, school or community involvement, a letter of recommendation, and an essay submission.

Interested students can find more information and apply online at ccu.com/studentscholarship. Online applications will be accepted through April 8, 2022. Recipients will be announced on May 2, 2022.

The California Credit Union Annual Student Scholarship program was created in 2005 to recognize outstanding students within local communities. Each year, the credit union awards 20 scholarships of $1,000 each to students in Orange, Los Angeles, San Diego and Riverside counties. Since the creation of the program, the credit union has awarded more than $355,000 in scholarships.

About California Credit Union

California Credit Union is a federally insured, state chartered credit union founded in 1933 that serves public or private school employees, community members and businesses across California. With more than 165,000 members and assets of over $4 billion, California Credit Union has 25 branches throughout Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties. The credit union operates in San Diego County as North Island Credit Union, a division of California Credit Union. California Credit Union offers a full suite of consumer, business and investment products and services, including comprehensive consumer checking and loan options, personalized financial planning, business banking, and leading-edge online and mobile banking. Visit ccu.com for more information, or follow the credit union on Instagram® or Facebook® @CaliforniaCreditUnion.

Bank robber arrested after trying to rob the same bank in Fountain Valley a second time

Posted on October 7, 2021 by Editor Posted in Banking, Crime, Fountain Valley Leave a comment

On October 4, 2021, at approximately 3:00 p.m., Fountain Valley police officers responded to the Chase Bank located in the 17000 block of Newhope Street regarding a robbery.

During this robbery, the suspect presented a note to the teller demanding cash. The suspect fled the location prior to Officers’ arrival with a large amount of cash.

Through the ensuing police investigation, the suspect was identified as 33-year-old Samuel Brown from San Diego.

On October 5, 2021, at approximately 11:12 a.m., FVPD Dispatch received a call of another robbery in progress at the same Chase bank. Incredibly it was Brown again – he returned to rob the same bank again.

FVPD Officers and Detectives arrived on scene and detained Brown without incident.

Brown has prior convictions for robbery in San Diego. He was arrested for multiple counts of PC 211 – Robbery and an outstanding arrest warrant.

He was booked into Orange County Jail where he is currently being held on a $170,000 bail.

B of A picks a Santa Ana H.S. student as a 2021 Student Leader

Posted on July 29, 2021 by Editor Posted in Banking, Education, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

Newport Beach, Calif. – Bank of America today announced that two Orange County high school seniors and two recent high school graduates have been selected as Student Leaders (#BofAStudentLeaders). They have started their paid summer internship experience with the Boys and Girls Club of Central Orange Coast, and will earn $17 per hour and receive a Chromebook as part of the internship. Similar to last year, the program has been adapted to a virtual format.

“Bank of America remains committed to supporting young adults by connecting them to jobs, community engagement opportunities and leadership development,” said Allen Staff, president, Bank of America Orange County. “We recognize young adults are the future of our community, which is why programs like Student Leaders are one way we can provide paid opportunities for students to gain job experience while developing a diverse pipeline of talent as they enter the local workforce.”

The Student Leaders were chosen for their outstanding leadership and their passionate commitment to community service. This year’s Class of 2021 Orange County Bank of America Student Leaders are:

Maya Bryson, Anaheim, Wilson High School – Maya will attend Dartmouth in the fall where she will study neuroscience and run track. She is co-founder of her high school’s Black Student Union, and she started the school district’s first Superintendent Student Advisory Committee as a way to give a voice to students as the administration makes decisions about diversity, inclusion and overall student wellbeing.
Destiny Ceja, Santa Ana, Santa Ana High School – Destiny will be a senior next fall and will continue her leadership role in multiple campus organizations, including serving as chairperson for the Principal’s Advisory Committee, president of the Red Cross Club, and operations manager for NJROTC. After being diagnosed with a neurological disorder, she became curious about the causes of such diseases, and she aspires to become a neurosurgeon focused on research.
Catherine Liu, Anaheim, Oxford Academy – Catherine will be a senior in the fall. During the pandemic, she launched a cultural exchange program with students in Wuhan who were struggling emotionally during the early days of quarantine. The program grew to 1,000 students in China and 50 volunteers in the U.S. She also won first place in the annual national Congressional Art Contest. Her oil painting, My Grandpa, will soon hang in the student art gallery at the U.S. Capitol.
Vivian Wang, Yorba Linda, Valencia High School – Vivian will attend Stanford in the fall where she plans to study computer science and applied technology. In 2014, she and her sister founded Linens N Love, a nonprofit that provides slightly imperfect towels and linens from hotel chains to nonprofits in need, including animal shelters, homeless shelters, teen outreach centers, and veteran homes.

The Student Leaders program began in 2004 and recognizes 300 community-focused juniors and seniors from across the U.S. annually. The Orange County-based Student Leaders are engaged in an eight-week paid internship and participate in programming that includes a collaborative, mentor-focused project working closely with Boys and Girls Club of Central Orange Coast.

As part of this summer’s program, Student Leaders will also take part in a virtual Summit in partnership with the Close Up Foundation to participate in Stanford University’s Young Democracy at Home program, which encourages conversation about current issues facing young people today.

Without access to career skills-building opportunities like the Student Leaders program, many young people may be left behind from a fast-changing job market, leading to higher rates of youth unemployment. In addition to Student Leaders, Bank of America also provided grant funding to two nonprofits to connect another 100 teens and young adults to paid jobs and internships in Orange County. These partnerships with High School Inc. and Orange County United Way are part of Bank of America’s commitment to workforce development as a pathway to economic mobility.

Bank of America
At Bank of America, we’re guided by a common purpose to help make financial lives better, through the power of every connection. We’re delivering on this through responsible growth with a focus on our environmental, social and governance (ESG) leadership. ESG is embedded across our eight lines of business and reflects how we help fuel the global economy, build trust and credibility, and represent a company that people want to work for, invest in and do business with. It’s demonstrated in the inclusive and supportive workplace we create for our employees, the responsible products and services we offer our clients, and the impact we make around the world in helping local economies thrive. An important part of this work is forming strong partnerships with nonprofits and advocacy groups, such as community, consumer and environmental organizations, to bring together our collective networks and expertise to achieve greater impact. Learn more at about.bankofamerica.com, and connect with us on Twitter (@BofA_News).

Irvine man arrested for allegedly obtaining $5M in COVID-relief loans fraudulently

Posted on May 8, 2021 by Editor Posted in Banking, Crime, FBI, Federal Government, Irvine, Justice, Newport Beach, Santa Ana Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, California – An Orange County man was arrested today on federal charges alleging he fraudulently obtained approximately $5 million in Payment Protection Program (PPP) loans for his sham businesses, then used the money on himself, including purchasing Ferrari, Bentley and Lamborghini sports cars.

Mustafa Qadiri, 38, of Irvine, was named in a federal grand jury indictment returned Wednesday charging him with four counts of bank fraud, four counts of wire fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft, and six counts of money laundering.

Qadiri surrendered to law enforcement this morning and is expected to make his initial appearance this afternoon in United States District Court in Santa Ana.

According to the indictment, Qadiri claimed to have operated four Newport Beach-based companies, none of which are currently in operation: All American Lending, Inc., All American Capital Holdings, Inc., RadMediaLab, Inc., and Ad Blot, Inc.

In May and June of 2020, Qadiri allegedly submitted false and fraudulent PPP loan applications to three banks on behalf of those companies. The false information allegedly included the number of employees to whom the companies paid wages, altered bank account records with inflated balances, and fictitious quarterly federal tax return forms. Qadiri allegedly also used someone else’s name, Social Security number and signature to fraudulently apply for one of the loans.

Relying on this false information, the banks funded the PPP loan applications and transferred approximately $5 million to accounts Qadiri controlled, according to the indictment. Qadiri allegedly used the fraudulently obtained PPP loan proceeds for his own personal benefit, including for expenses prohibited under the requirements of the PPP program, such as the purchase of luxury vehicles, lavish vacations, and the payment of his personal expenses. Federal agents have seized the Ferrari, Bentley and Lamborghini cars that Qadiri allegedly purchased with the fraudulently obtained PPP loans, along with $2 million in alleged ill-gotten gains from his bank account.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act is the authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses through the PPP. In April, Congress authorized more than $300 billion in additional PPP funding.

The PPP allows qualifying small businesses and other organizations to receive loans with a maturity of two years and an interest rate of 1 percent. Businesses must use PPP loan proceeds for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. The PPP allows the interest and principal to be forgiven if businesses spend the proceeds on these expenses within a set time period and use at least a certain percentage of the loan towards payroll expenses.

An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Homeland Security Investigations, the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General, the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation investigated this matter as part of the El Camino Real Financial Crimes Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer L. Waier of the Santa Ana Branch Office is prosecuting this case.

The OC Sheriff arrested a suspect in a string of bank robbers in four counties

Posted on April 2, 2021 by Editor Posted in Banking, Crime, OC Sheriff, Orange County Leave a comment

ALISO VIEJO, Ca. (April 2, 2021) – Sheriff’s Department investigators arrested a man suspected of a series of recent bank robberies across Southern California.

At approximately 2:40 p.m. on March 10, 2021 a male suspect committed a bank robbery in the 26000 block of Aliso Creek Road in the city of Aliso Viejo.

Upon investigation, it was determined the suspect was involved in a series of bank robberies in February 2021 and March 2021 in Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura and San Diego counties. The suspect targeted banks in grocery stores. He would pass his cell phone to the teller, which contained a note demanding money and indicating the suspect was armed.

Orange County Sheriff’s investigators wrote multiple search warrants and their work led to identification of the suspect. Kyle Marquise Adlam, 24, was arrested and booked into Orange County Jail on Wednesday, March 31, on suspicion of robbery.

Former Tustin bank branch sentenced after stealing over $1M from a customer with dementia

Posted on January 27, 2021 by Editor Posted in Banking, Crime, Federal Government, Fraud, Justice, Tustin Leave a comment

LOS ANGELES – A former Comerica bank branch manager was sentenced today to 41 months in federal prison for stealing more than $1 million from an elderly customer with dementia, and then using it for her own personal expenses, including gambling and buying luxury items.

Marie Fulle, 38, of Newport Beach, was sentenced via videoconference by United States District Judge Virginia A. Phillips, who also ordered her to pay $1,091,230 in restitution. Fulle pleaded guilty in September 2019 to an information charging her with two counts of bank fraud.

Fulle formerly was a branch manager of a Comerica bank in Tustin. From February 2013 to April 2014, she targeted a vulnerable customer – an elderly man with dementia – and cultivated an exclusive banking relationship with him. Fulle then opened various bank accounts with the victim and used them to create a confusing web in which she could hide unauthorized transfers, and forged withdrawals with cashier’s checks.

Between February 2013 and May 2013, Fulle embezzled approximately $43,400 over the course of six transactions. After Fulle lost an anticipated promotion at work in May 2013, she began embezzling larger amounts of the victim’s money, unilaterally changing the address for one of the victim’s accounts, which prevented the statements from being delivered to the victim and his bookkeeper. Fulle manipulated this account for her embezzlement and, after she changed the address, significant amounts of the victim’s money began flowing through it. Fulle also conducted much of the victim’s banking activities one-on-one in private, away from the view of other bank personnel or security cameras.

During the scheme, Fulle used the money she stole from the victim to pay for Tiffany jewelry, at least one Louis Vuitton bag, spa days for herself and her then-boyfriend, and trips to Las Vegas, where she gambled.

Comerica fired Fulle in April 2014 for embezzling money from her cash drawer. When Comerica subsequently discovered the fraud Fulle committed against the victim, it reimbursed the victim nearly $1.3 million for disputed transactions that Fulle processed, lost interest and attorneys’ fees. The total loss that Fulle caused to the victim was $1,057,230. The restitution amount includes the victim’s attorneys’ fees.

This matter was investigated by the FBI.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly D. Jaimez of the Major Frauds Section.

California Credit Union seeks scholarship applications from O.C. students

Posted on January 12, 2021 by Editor Posted in Banking, Education, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

Glendale, CA – January 12, 2021 – California Credit Union invites college-bound students in Orange County to apply for its 2021 College Scholarship Program. Through the program, the credit union provides $20,000 in scholarships annually to recognize Southern California students who are motivated in their academic studies and active in their schools and communities.

“We realize that managing the costs of higher education can be difficult for many families. Now more than ever, during these challenging times, we want to extend a hand to help support our local students and their families,” said California Credit Union CEO Steve O’Connell. “We encourage local students to apply for one of our scholarships to make it a little easier to fund their college dreams.”

Interested students can find more information and apply online at ccu.com/scholarship2021. Online applications will be accepted through March 26, 2021. Recipients will be announced on April 16, 2021.

The California Credit Union Annual College Scholarship program was created in 2005 to recognize outstanding students within local communities. Each year, the credit union awards 20 scholarships of $1,000 each to students in Orange, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Riverside counties. Since the creation of the program, the credit union has awarded more than $335,000 in scholarships.

About California Credit Union

California Credit Union is a federally insured, state chartered credit union founded in 1933 that serves public or private school employees, community members and businesses across California. With more than 165,000 members and assets of $3 billion, California Credit Union has 25 branches throughout Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties. The credit union operates in San Diego County as North Island Credit Union, a division of California Credit Union. California Credit Union offers a full suite of consumer, business and investment products and services, including comprehensive consumer checking and loan options, personalized financial planning, business banking, and leading-edge online and mobile banking. Visit ccu.com for more information, or follow the credit union on Instagram® or Facebook® @CaliforniaCreditUnion.

Apply now for the Bank of America paid internship for O.C. teens

Posted on January 7, 2021 by Editor Posted in Banking, Youth Activities Leave a comment

Summer may feel far away, but the deadline is fast approaching for civic-minded teens in Orange County to apply for Bank of America’s prestigious Student Leader’s program – which provides PAID summer internships at local nonprofits.

Each year, BofA selects 300 high school juniors and seniors across the country to participate, including four from Orange County. The 2021 online application process is now open through January 29. To apply, visit bit.ly/bofastudentleaders.

Last summer, the Student Leaders program was converted to a virtual format, with the Orange County students working with United Way of Orange County on a special project and learning firsthand how to work in a local organization. The program is part of the bank’s investment into education and workforce development for young adults to obtain job and leadership experience, while making a difference in their communities.

California Credit Union is looking to fund O.C. teacher projects

Posted on August 26, 2020 by Editor Posted in Banking, Charities, Education, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Los Angeles, CA – August 26, 2020 – California Credit Union is inviting all Orange County teachers who have an innovative class project idea to apply for a credit union grant through its bi-annual Teacher Grant Program.

The California Credit Union grant program is available to full-time teachers in Orange County who are looking to fund a special learning opportunity, either in classroom or virtual, for their students. Ten California Credit Union grants of $500 each will be awarded to Orange and Los Angeles County teachers in November in the fall program.

“We know educators in our communities are facing unprecedented challenges in engaging with their students this year – whether they are teaching virtually or if they ultimately return to a classroom setting. We hope these grants will help teachers inspire and connect with their students, which is so critical during this time,” said California Credit Union President/CEO Steve O’Connell. “We encourage any teacher who has an exciting project idea to apply for one of our grants so we can help them bring it to life for their students.”

The project should have clearly defined learning objectives tied to students’ academic needs, display creativity, and benefit a significant number of students. Interested teachers can find more information and apply online at ccu.com/teachergrant. The application deadline is October 2, 2020.

Originally founded to serve the education community, California Credit Union has awarded $115,000 in teacher grants to benefit students across Southern California since the creation of the program in 2012. The bi-annual program offers up to 20 grants in the spring and fall to teachers across Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Diego Counties. Past projects using grant funding have included robotics and STEAM programs, community garden and environmental science learning, arts programs, and many more.

About California Credit Union

California Credit Union is a federally insured, state chartered credit union founded in 1933 that serves public or private school employees, community members and businesses across California. With more than 165,000 members and assets of $3 billion, California Credit Union has 25 branches throughout Los Angeles, San Diego and Orange counties. The credit union operates in San Diego County as North Island Credit Union, a division of California Credit Union. California Credit Union offers a full suite of consumer, business and investment products and services, including comprehensive consumer checking and loan options, personalized financial planning, business banking, and leading-edge online and mobile banking. Please visit ccu.com for more information, or follow the credit union on Instagram® or Facebook® @CaliforniaCreditUnion.

Bank of America provides 146,000 face masks to underserved communities in Orange County

Posted on August 16, 2020 by Editor Posted in Banking, Charities, Disease, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

NEWPORT BEACH – In communities across the country, Bank of America has been working with local partners to provide resources to vulnerable and underserved communities hardest hit by the coronavirus. In Orange County, Bank of America is partnering with seven front-line nonprofits to distribute personal protective equipment (PPE), specifically 146,000 masks.

This donation is part of a nationwide effort by Bank of America to immediately distribute nearly four million masks to communities disproportionally impacted by the coronavirus, including communities of color, and is connected to its $1 billion, four-year commitment of additional support to help local communities address economic and racial inequality accelerated by a global pandemic. This donation adds to the four million masks that the company donated earlier this year in cities across the country.

“The health and safety of our employees, clients and communities remain our top priority during this public health and humanitarian crisis,” said Allen Staff, Bank of America market president for Orange County. “In addition to providing more than $1.1 million in COVID-19-relief grants to Orange County nonprofits, another way we are helping communities slow the spread of the virus is by working with local partners to distribute masks to the most vulnerable populations, such as seniors, low-to-moderate income families, homeless individuals and communities of color disproportionately impacted, in addition to frontline workers, schools and health centers serving these communities.”

Below is how the 146,000 masks will be distributed across Orange County.

80,000 masks to Latino Health Access, which is working with the County to help assist eight neighborhoods hardest hit by COVID-19.
30,000 masks to Mercy House to distribute amongst the local homeless population.
16,000 masks to The Wooden Floor to provide to at-risk families in Santa Ana.
10,000 to the Orange County Rescue Mission for volunteers and the local homeless population.
6,000 masks to Camino Health Center to provide to its patients in high-risk communities.
2,000 masks to Meals on Wheels for their volunteers to prepare meals for home-bound seniors.
2,000 masks to Friendship Shelter, which is working with the County to place homeless coming out of COVID-19 quarantine into permanent housing.

“Latino Health Access is leading the COVID-19 response in the most impacted zip codes in Anaheim and Santa Ana, so we are grateful for the 80,000 masks donated to us by Bank of America. These masks will be distributed to neighbors impacted by COVID-19, their contacts and families as they isolate and quarantine, as well as to essential workers that do not have the option of working at home, and to those assisting in the COVID-19 response in these cities,” said America Bracho, Executive Director, Latino Health Access.

For more information on the bank’s support of employees, clients and communities during this time, see the latest updates here.

Bank of America

Bank of America is one of the world’s leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 66 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 4,300 retail financial centers, including approximately 3,000 lending centers, 2,600 financial centers with a Consumer Investment Financial Solutions Advisor and approximately 2,200 business centers; approximately 16,900 ATMs; and award-winning digital banking with approximately 39 million active users, including approximately 30 million mobile users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 3 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and approximately 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other important information, visit the Bank of America newsroom and register for news email alerts.

www.bankofamerica.com

The SAPD is searching for a suspect who tried to rob a Wells Fargo bank

Posted on August 12, 2020 by Editor Posted in Banking, Crime, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

On March 23, 2020 at approximately 2:48 p.m., the wanted suspect entered the Wells Fargo located at 2301 S. Main Street, Santa Ana and attempted to commit a robbery.

The suspect simulated a handgun, produced a note demanding money and gave it to the teller. The teller was able to cause a delay, resulting in the suspect ultimately leaving the bank.

The suspect is a white male, approximately 45-55 years old, 5’11’ in height, with a thin build and a light complexion. He was wearing a black baseball cap emblazoned with a letter “P” during the attempted robbery as well as black framed sunglasses, a black long sleeve 1/4 zip up sweater, black pants and black shoes. There may be a tattoo on the right side of his face.

Anyone with information identifying the wanted suspect in this case is asked to contact Detective Solorio at (714) 245-8316 or ESolorio@santa-ana.org

Free legal help for Santa Ana homeowners Struggling with PACE loans

Posted on August 7, 2020 by Editor Posted in Banking, Lawyers, Real Estate, Santa Ana, Taxes Leave a comment

The Public Law Center (PLC) has seen a number of homeowners struggling to pay their property taxes after agreeing to “energy efficient upgrades” that homeowners believed were free upgrades through government programs.

In reality, contractors soliciting these upgrades misled homeowners and did not explain that the upgrades would be paid through their property taxes through the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program. The average yearly increase in property taxes is almost $5,000.00.

Most homeowners are on fixed incomes so an additional $5,000.00 a year often means a property tax lien and, in some cases, foreclosure.

PLC can assist homeowners with PACE loans for free. For contact information and information on other legal service providers in Southern California click here to view flyer.

Asistencia Legal Gratuita para Propietarios de Viviendas que Luchan con Préstamos PACE

Si necesita información en español llame al Public Law Center (714) 541-1010.

Irvine YouTube twin pranksters arrested after two fake bank robberies

Posted on August 5, 2020 by Editor Posted in Banking, Crime, Irvine, OCDA, Santa Ana Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, Calif. – Twin brothers who star in YouTube videos featuring pranks on unsuspecting people have been charged with false imprisonment and swatting in connection with a pair of fake bank robberies in Irvine that resulted in their Uber driver being held at gunpoint by police. The Uber driver was not involved in the prank.

Alan and Alex Stokes, 23 of Irvine, have been each charged with one felony count of false imprisonment effected by violence, menace, fraud, or deceit and one misdemeanor count of falsely reporting an emergency in connection with the October 15, 2019 pranks.

They each face a maximum sentence of four years in state prison if convicted on all counts.

On October 15, 2019, at about 2:30 p.m., the Stokes brothers are accused of being dressed all in black, wearing ski masks, and carrying duffle bags full of cash as they pretended they had just robbed a bank while their videographer filmed this.

They ordered an Uber and when they got in the vehicle the Uber driver, who was unaware of the prank, refused to drive them. A bystander witnessed this, believing the two men had just robbed a bank and were attempting to carjack the Uber driver.

Irvine police arrived and ordered the Uber driver out at gunpoint. He was released after police determined he was not involved.

Police issued a warning to the Stokes brothers about the dangerous of their conduct and let them go.

Four hours later the Stokes brothers performed the same kind of prank on the campus of the University of California, Irvine. Police again received emergency calls regarding a bank being robbed.

“These were not pranks,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “These are crimes that could have resulted in someone getting seriously injured or even killed. Law enforcement officers are sworn to protect the public and when someone calls 911 to report an active bank robbery they are going to respond to protect lives. Instead, what they found was some kind of twisted attempt to gain more popularity on the internet by unnecessarily putting members of the public and police officers in danger.”

Deputy District Attorney Laila Nikaien of Special Prosecutions is prosecuting this case.

A Santa Ana man armed with an axe tried to rob a bank in La Mirada

Posted on May 23, 2020 by Editor Posted in Banking, Crime, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Francisco Javier Cano, a 44-year-old Santa Ana man, walked into a La Mirada bank on Friday, but he was not there to make a deposit.

Cano gave a note to the bank teller, informing her that he was going to rob the bank, according to the O.C. Register.

There was a catch though to Cano’s request. He wanted fake money.

The teller ended up going to the bank of the bank and then initiating a silent alarm. She told the other employees to stay where they were.

A few seconds later Cano walked out of the bank, which was a Chase branch located at 15128 East Rosecrans Avenue. Several Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies were waiting for Cano.

Cano immediately surrendered and he was booked on suspicion of robbery.

The deputies found an axe in Cano’s waistband as well as another note, which demanded “real money.”

The Sheriff’s investigators have not yet established a motive for the bizarre robbery attempt.

It turns out that Cano has been booked at least 11 times since July 2018.

The SAPD is trying to identify an ATM robbery suspect

Posted on May 21, 2020 by Editor Posted in Banking, Crime, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

On May 12, 2020, at approximately 2:56 pm, a victim was withdrawing money from the ATM, at 1317 W. Warner Avenue, Santa Ana, and he placed his wallet on the counter while he conducted his transaction.

While this was occurring, a white BMW X5 SUV (the above pictured vehicle) pulled into a parking stall behind the victim.

The above pictured suspect exited the right front passenger seat and approached the victim while armed with a knife. The suspect demanded all of the victim’s money, and also grabbed the victim’s wallet off the counter at the same time. The victim fled the location and the suspect entered the BMW SUV and drove away.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective D. Prewett at (714) 245-8323 / DPrewett@santa-ana.org or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS