Public's Help Sought in Identifying Murrieta Bank Robber

Murrieta police are seeking the public’s help in identifying a suspect believed to be responsible for two bank robberies in the city this week.

Thursday afternoon, the Murrieta Police Department released surveillance photos of Wednesday’s robbery at JP Morgan Chase Bank on California Oaks Road. On Monday, Pacific Western Bank on Kalmia Street was also robbed.

Murrieta police Lt. Tony Conrad said they are working with the FBI to investigate the cases.

In both incidents, a casually-dressed white or light-skinned Latino man wearing a beanie entered the bank branches, handed a demand note to a teller and received an undisclosed amount of cash.

Both alleged robberies occurred at about the same time of day—3 p.m.—and were about a mile apart.

In Monday’s incident, the suspect was last seen running toward Village Walk Place shortly after the 2:55 p.m. robbery at Pacific Western Bank, 41381 Kalmia St., according to police.

Police said the suspect “casually exited” JP Morgan Chase Bank, 40655 California Oaks Road, following the 3:04 p.m. robbery on Wednesday.

Officers searched the areas around the banks following both occurrences but were unable to immediately locate the suspect. A Riverside County sheriff's helicopter crew assisted in the search efforts.

The suspect is described as a white or light-skinned Latino man in his mid-30s between 5 feet 6 and 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing between 170 and 190 pounds. He has short black or brown hair and possibly, a tattoo on his chest. 

Any information about the individual's identity should be directed to Detective Sgt. Phil Gomez at 951-461-6356.