Suspected Bank Robber to Appear in Court

Criminal charges were filed recently against a parolee who is accused of robbing five banks in the San Gabriel Valley in less than a year and leading police on a chase.

Jerry Lee Franklin, 39, is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday in West Covina Superior Court on five counts of second-degree robbery and one count of evading police, according to Deputy District Attorney Michael Matoba.

The robbery charges stem from alleged holdups at the U.S. Bank in Hacienda Heights on July 6, a Bank of the West in Rowland Heights on July 12 and again Jan. 11, a Citibank in Rowland Heights on Jan. 14 and the First Federal Credit Union in West Covina on April 23.

Franklin led police on a chase along the 10 and 605 freeways after the latest robbery, slowing his white van so that a woman grab onto it and climb in, authorities said.

He was arrested when police unleashed a dog on him after stopping the van near Whittier Boulevard and Penn Street, authorities said.

Franklin -- who has been jailed on a parole hold since his arrest -- is facing more than 24 years in state prison if convicted as charged, according to the District Attorney's Office.

Prosecutors declined to file charges against his girlfriend, Yvonne Jeanette Farano of Whittier, citing a lack of evidence of her intent to assist in the robbery or his attempt to flee from police.

Here is last a look at last week's crime.

Saturday, July 28

• Vehicle Break-In/Theft – 2p.m. 3400 block S. Falcon Ridge Road. Petty theft of auto parts and accessories were taken from a car.
• Vehicle Break-In/Theft - 11 a.m. Petty theft of auto parts and accessories were taken from a car.
• Assault – 11:52 p.m. 22800 block Hilton Head Drive. None aggravated assault reported. Assailant reportedly used hands, fists or feet.
• Vehicle Break-In/Theft -  5:40 p.m. 700 block Pantera Drive. A vehicle was broken into.
• Assault – 8 p.m. 600 block Chaparral Drive. A non-aggravated assault on a child was reported.

Sunday, July 29

No Reports

Monday, July 30

• Burglary – 3 a.m. 20600 block Golden Springs Drive. Burglars broke into a residence during the day. No sign of forced entry.

Tuesday, July 31

• Burglary – 8:30 a.m. 21100 block Sunwood Drive. Burglars broke into a residence during the day. There were signs of forced entry.
• Vehicle Break-In/Theft – 5:30 p.m. 1300 block Crestmont Drive. Petty theft of auto parts and accessories were taken from a car.
• Burglary – 5 p.m. 800 block Pantera Drive. Burglars broke into a building at night. There were signs of forced entry.

Wednesday, Aug. 1

No Reports

Thursday, Aug. 2

• Assault – 5:29 p.m. 23700 block Gold Nugget Avenue. A non-aggravated assault reported. Assailant reportedly used hands, fists or feet. A battery was reported on a peace officer and resisting arrest.

Friday, Aug. 3

• Vehicle Break-In/Theft – 8:15 p.m. 20800 block Golden Springs Drive. A commercial vehicle was broken into.