Reward Offered In Hunt For OC Bank Robbers
SANTA ANA (CBS) — Two men known as the "Pop the Lock Crew" suspected in at least four bank robberies in south Orange County were at large on Thursday, but officials hope to change that with a photo and $15,000 in reward money.
The two have robbed three Wells Fargo banks and a Bank of America since mid-July, said Jim Amormino of the Orange County Sheriff's Department.
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The suspects typically enter banks yelling and cussing and demanding everyone get down on the floor. One of the robbers then jumps over the teller counter and opens the gate so the other robber can enter, Amormino said.
They have been dubbed the "Pop the Lock Crew" by the FBI because they use a pry tool to open locked teller drawers to remove cash, he said.
They robbed a Wells Fargo July 13 in Mission Viejo, a Bank of America July 28 in Dana Point, a Wells Fargo Sept. 30 in Ladera Ranch, and a Wells Fargo Oct. 5 in Laguna Niguel.
In each robbery they used a getaway car that had been stolen in Los Angeles County, Amormino said.
They have worn athletic clothing and masks, but during one of the robberies, one of the men removed his mask as he was leaving, and a security camera captured a "good image" of the suspect, Amormino said.
Wells Fargo is offering a $15,000 reward for information leading to their arrest and conviction.
Anyone with information on the robbers was asked to call the sheriff's department at (866) TIP-OCSD.
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