Homeless man booked on multiple bank robbery charges in Santa Ana

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: UPDATE – Detectives Take Suspect Wanted In Six Bank Robberies In Custody

– UPDATE –

Joseph Anthony Perez (27) Santa Ana – Homeless

Suspect Perez was booked into the Santa Ana Police Department Jail for 2 Bank Robberies (Santa Ana), 4 Attempted Bank Robberies (3 in Santa Ana – 1 in Fountain Valley).

He is being held on a No Bail Probation Hold under the Post Release Community Supervision Program (AB-109). Detectives will be submitting the case to the Orange County District Attorney for prosecution.

– ORIGINAL MESSAGE –

Suspect:
Joseph Anthony Perez (27)

Locations:
Santa Ana
#1 02/25 approx. 9:30am – Bank of America (3730 S. Bristol Street) – suspect fled with an unspecified amount of money.
#2 02/27 approx. 11:15am – Wells Fargo (1801 E. 17th Street) – attempted robbery.
#4 02/27 approx. 12:48pm – Bank of America (2015 W, 1st Street #A) – suspect brandished a weapon, was unsuccessful and fled the scene.
#5 02/27 approx. 2:52pm – Chase Bank (3600 S. Bristol Street) – attempted robbery.
#6 02/27 approx. 3:13pm – Bank of the West (3931 S. Bristol Street)

Fountain Valley
#3 02/27 approx. 12:05pm – Bank of America (16192 Harbor Blvd) – attempted robbery.

Synopsis:
This is the sixth in a series of six bank robbery incidents in Santa Ana and Fountain Valley. At 3:13pm, the suspect entered the Bank of the West. After providing the demand note, the teller gave the suspect an unspecified amount of money along with a tracking device. After the suspect left the location authorities immediately began tracking the signal. An employee exited the bank and observed the suspect drive off in a blue Chevy Suburban. Officers were able to pinpoint the tracking device to the rear of a local restaurant (3713 S. Bristol). Upon arrival officers found the vehicle unoccupied and quickly determined the suspect had removed the tracking device, threw it under the car and had left the area on foot.

Officers, along with Duke, searched the area and located him walking on Bristol. When the suspect saw the officers he ran westbound across Bristol in an attempt to escape capture. Officers pursued him across the street and took him into custody.