Suspect in Four Attempted Bank Robberies, Two Successful Ones, Arrested
Joseph Anthony Perez
SANTA ANA — 27-year-old Joseph Anthony Perez is listed as “homeless.” For now, he is bunked up at the Santa Ana Jail, most likely to be charged with bank robbery and attempted bank robbery.
His escapades began on Saturday morning at the Bank of America on 3730 S. Bristol Street. Perez was able to rob an unspecified amount of money before he fled.
Then, on Monday, Perez visited five different banks:
- At 11:15, he unsuccessfully attempted to rob the Wells Fargo at 1801 E. 17th Street;
- At 12:05, he unsuccessfully attempted to rob the Bank of America at 16192 Harbor Boulevard in Fountain Valley;
- At 12:48, he unsuccessfully attempted to rob the Bank of America at 2015 W. 1st Street #A;
- At 2:52, he unsuccessfully attempted to roib the Chase Bank at 3600 S. Bristol Street;
- At 3:13, Perez finally had “success” when he entered the Bank of the West at 3931 S. Bristol Street, presented a demand note and left with cash.
However, along with the money, he unknowingly accepted a tracking device. Authorities tracked the signal to the back of a restaurant at 3713 S. Bristol Street.
Officers found an unoccupied car with the tracking device under it. Perez was not in sight.
Soon Perez was spotted walking on Bristol Street, where he took off but was apprehended and arrested.