Police arrest bank robbery suspect

The San Luis Obispo Police Department arrested the suspect of a bank robbery Friday after an investigation that led them to Fresno.

Gregory Raymond Romero, 45, allegedly robbed the Rabobank on Santa Rosa Street Dec. 31 at 11:53 a.m.

The suspect reportedly threatened to harm bank employees if they did not cooperate with his demands, then fled the scene before police arrived.

The suspect was identified as a Santa Maria resident after a photograph was captured by a bank camera and broadcast by local media. However, the suspect was not home when officers arrived to give him a warrant. An extensive search of the area was inconclusive.

SLOPD received information Jan. 3 that the suspect was seen in the Fresno area. With the help of the Fresno Police Department, the suspect was found Jan. 4. in his vehicle and was arrested without incident and later booked into the San Luis Obispo County Jail. No weapons were found in his vehicle or on his person.

However, officers discovered $3,500 in Romero’s pocket and at least one of the bills matched those stolen from the Rabobank. The total amount stolen from the bank remains undisclosed.

SLOPD does not think Romero is the infamous “Mutton Chop Bandit,” who is wanted in connection with numerous Central Coast bank robberies that have occurred over the past six months, Lt. Bill Proll said.

The “Bandit,” so-named because of his fake sideburns and mustache disguise, is the suspect in the Aug. 6 robbery at the Washington Mutual Bank on Madonna Road in San Luis Obispo, the Aug. 13 robbery at the Mid-State Bank & Trust in Nipomo, the Sept. 12 robbery at Mid-State Bank & Trust in Lompoc, the Nov. 29 robbery of the First Bank of San Luis Obispo on Higuera Street and an additional bank robbery in Santa Maria.

SLOPD and the FBI will continue their investigation for the “Bandit,” Proll said.