2 suspects sought in 3 bank robberies

Deepa Bharath

Police are looking for two men they say were involved in two separate

bank robberies in the city, officials said Thursday.

One of the men has been identified as 45-year-old Hector Rodrigo

Soto of Anaheim. Soto reportedly robbed First Bank on Harbor

Boulevard on Aug. 1, as well as a bank branch in Fountain Valley on

July 30. Police said he used a note and threat of a gun in both

incidents.

Soto may be staying in motels near the San Diego Freeway in the

Los Angeles and Orange County areas, Costa Mesa Police Lt. Dale

Birney said.

“He has dumped both getaway vehicles in the Costa Mesa area,” he

said. “He has no vehicle and has sold his bicycle. He probably uses

rental vehicles, public transportation, friends and stolen vehicles

to get around.”

The other suspect, who hasn’t been identified, is said to have

robbed about $3,900 from a Wells Fargo Bank branch at Harbor

Boulevard and Baker Street on Aug. 6.

“No weapon was seen in this incident either,” Birney said. “He

presented a note to the teller stating that it was a robbery.”

This man, caught on the bank’s surveillance tape, is described as

a 45-year-old male, about 5-foot-7, weighing about 155 pounds with

brown hair and brown eyes. He is also said to have a receding

hairline and a thin beard.

Soto has outstanding warrants on both bank robberies. His last

known address is 1011 N. Harbor Blvd. in Anaheim.

Birney said officials value the public’s help in finding these

suspects.

“In the last year alone, we were able to arrest two robbery

suspects because we got a clear picture and the public assisted,” he

said.

Those with information about either of these men are asked to call

Costa Mesa Police Det. Bob Fate at (714) 754-5252.

* DEEPA BHARATH covers public safety and courts. She may be

reached at (949) 574-4226 or by e-mail at [email protected].