Suspect Arrested in Pasadena Bank Robberies

A man who allegedly robbed one bank and attempted to rob another in Pasadena on Thursday was arrested by police, authorities said.

The suspect, identified as Raul Gutierrez, 36, of Highland, Calif., allegedly passed a demand note at a Home Street Bank branch in the 200 block of South Lake Avenue around 12:18 p.m., according to Lieutenant Matt Campeau of the Pasadena Police Department.

The robbery was reportedly unsuccessful, and Gutierrez fled on foot.

Police officers responding to the attempted robbery detained a man matching the suspect’s description near South Lake Avenue and Green Street. During the investigation, the police received a report of a successful robbery at a First Citizens Bank branch in the 100 block of South Lake Avenue at 12:31 p.m.

After multiple witness identifications, police determined that Gutierrez was allegedly responsible for both the attempted and successful robberies.

According to Campeau, Gutierre was found in possession of stolen money from the second bank and the demand note used in both incidents.

No weapons were used, and no injuries were reported in either of the incidents, police said.

Gutierrez, who police said was on parole at the time of his arrest, was charged with bank robbery and attempted bank robbery. The Pasadena Police Department’s robbery-homicide unit and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are investigating the incidents, according to Campeau.

The amount of money stolen from the second bank has not been disclosed.

Authorities did not provide details about Gutierrez’s prior criminal record or the terms of his parole. He is being held on a parole hold as the investigation continues.

Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to call the Pasadena Police at (626) 744-4241 or report information anonymously by contacting “Crime Stoppers” at (800) 222-TIPS (8477), via your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile App on Google Play or the Apple App Store, or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org