Pleasanton bank robbery suspect who fired at responding officer arrested in Yuma, AZ
BOOKING PHOTO: Salinas PD
The Salinas Police Department has announced the arrest of Joel Torres in connection to the attempted murder of a police officer during a bank robbery in Pleasanton in February of this year.
On February 8, authorities say, Torres and three others armed with AK-47 style rifles allegedly robbed a bank in Pleasanton. Torres is accused of firing upon a police car as it chased him and his accomplices in their getaway vehicle, rendering the vehicle inoperable.
Fortunately, the officer was not injured.
Torres, an active Norteno gang member from Salinas with an extensive criminal history including burglary, robbery, and drug charges, was arrested on December 17 in Yuma, Arizona, by U.S. Marshals and local police.
He is now housed at the Yuma County Jail on suspicion of attempted murder of a police officer.