[symple_googlemap title=”Bank of West robbery Huntington Beach” location=”19006 Brookhurst St, Huntington Beach, CA 92646″ height=”300″ zoom=”16″]
A 52-year-old man was behind bars Thursday on suspicion of robbing one bank, attempting to rob another twice and “casing” another in Huntington Beach.
Neil Cherry of Huntington Beach was arrested Wednesday evening and booked on suspicion of robbing a Bank of the West at 19006 Brookhurst St. at 11:40 a.m., Dec. 21, according to Huntington Beach Police Officer Jennifer Marlatt. He is also accused of attempting to rob a Chase Bank branch at 19021 Beach Blvd. at 11:41 a.m. Dec. 19 and again at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday while also allegedly “casing” the U.S. Bank branch twice at 9042 Garfield Ave. this month, Marlatt said.
Huntington Beach Police dubbed the suspect the Garfield Bandit, said Marlatt.
FBI Special Agent Chris Gicking said the suspect was arrested before the bureau came up with its own moniker for him.
Cherry “threatened violence” in the stickups but did not display a weapon, Marlatt alleged.
A tip from a citizen helped authorities track down Cherry, who was arrested at the Bella Terra Shopping Center about 5:45 p.m. Wednesday, Marlatt said.
—City News Service