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OAKLAND — A man with prior convictions now faces charges involving a series of bank robberies. Naikano P. Tuipulotu, a 30-year-old resident of Oakland, is in custody at Alameda County Santa Rita Jail. Tuipulotu was arrested on February 14. He is ineligible for release on bond, pending further court proceedings.
An investigation was conducted by the FBI, San Leandro, Fremont, and Hayward police departments. Tuipulotu allegedly committed or attempted bank robberies in Alameda Coun y between October 23 and January 13. He allegedly robbed three banks and botched two other
attempted bank robberies. A prepared statement from the U.S. Attorney Office for the Northern District of California said.
“During the robberies and attempted robberies, Tuipulotu passed handwritten notes stating that he had a gun. And he demanded money from bank tellers.”
A federal criminal complaint charges Tuipulotu with bank robbery, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 22113(a). If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and a fine of $250,000, plus potential restitution, for each charge.
Tuipulotu has 16 previous arrests dating back to 2013 for offenses including battery, carjacking, and public intoxication. Tuipulotu has a prior conviction for second-degree robbery, resulting in five years behind bars at San Quentin State Prison. He also has a prior conviction for assault likely to produce great bodily injury. For this, he was sentenced to probation.
