Bank Robbery Suspect Cuffed After 3rd Alleged Hold-Up [UPDATE]

SAN PABLO, CA – UPDATE: FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 5 p.m.

A man police suspect is responsible for at least two bank robberies was arrested Thursday after allegedly robbing a payday loan business in San Pablo.

At about 5:15 p.m., San Pablo officers were sent to the Money Mart at 14473 San Pablo Avenue, where they arrested 30-year-old Avaun Price as he was leaving the business, according to police officials.

Price had allegedly handed a note to a Money Mart employee demanding money and claiming he had a weapon, police said. Price is allegedly also responsible for robberies earlier this month at Chase Bank and Citibank locations in San Pablo, according to police.

Police said he was arrested on suspicion of multiple counts of robbery and is being held at the Contra Costa County Jail.

Anyone with information is asked to call San Pablo police Sgt. Barajas at (510) 215-3150 or the Crime Stoppers tip line at (510) 799-8255.

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FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 7:21 a.m.

Police are asking for the public's help to identify a man who robbed two San Pablo banks this month, police said Thursday.

The first robbery occurred on June 13 at about 12:40 p.m. at the Chase Bank at 14330 San Pablo Ave., according to police.

A man walked into the bank and handed a note to the teller, demanding cash and alleging that he had a weapon. After the teller handed the man cash, the suspect fled the scene.

Then on Tuesday, the same suspect committed a similar robbery at the Citibank at 201 San Pablo Towne Center at about 4:05 p.m.

Detectives were able to obtain a surveillance video of suspect from a nearby liquor store, police said.

The suspect is described as a black man, about 30 years old, between 5 feet 8 inches and 6 feet tall with a medium build and a full trimmed beard.

The suspect also has distinctive tattoos, including one of lips on his neck, one of praying hands on his left shoulder, another with an unknown script on right forearm and one on the back of his neck, according to police.

The suspect also wore a reflective orange and yellow vest that was discarded after the second bank robbery.

Anyone with information about the suspect's identity is asked to contact San Pablo police Sgt. Barajas at (510) 215-3150 or the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at (510) 799-8255. Callers have the option of remaining anonymous.

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--Bay City News/Image via San Pablo PD