Photo: Marcus Lee Ghent, mugshot and in action
Santa Barbara County – On the morning of June 13, 2019, the Rabobank located in the middle of Solvang, CA was the target of a bank robbery perpetrated by a suspect eventually identified as 32-year-old Marcus Lee Ghent, a resident of Madera County.
During the course of the crime, Ghent’s image was recorded by bank security video, providing Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department Detectives with a clear portrait of their suspect.
Not long afterward, according to SBSD Public Information Office Kelly Hoover, the detectives “developed information” leading to Ghent’s identification. Five days later, on June 18th, a felony arrest warrant was issued in Ghent’s name and was broadcast nationwide.
Just a week later, on June 25, 2019, detectives were notified by Missouri law enforcement that Ghent had been contacted “during a welfare check,” at which time his arrest warrant became known. Ghent was arrested by the Wright, Missouri Police Department and transported to the Warren County, Missouri Jail.
Ghent was extradited back to Santa Barbara County on July 6th, where he was checked into accommodations at the Santa Barbara County Jail. He was booked on charges of felony burglary and robbery, with his bail set at $100,000.
The investigation into Ghent’s travels immediately prior to and following the Solvang bank robbery continues on the suspicion that he “could be linked to an additional bank robbery in another California county.”
Photos: Courtesy Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department, Warren County, Mo. Jail Booking
