'Bladed Bandits' Plead Guilty In Armed Bank Robberies: FV

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA — Two men who took part in several armed robberies across southern California, including the Seal Beach Chase Bank where they obtained over $21,000, pleaded guilty this week to multiple counts of armed robbery, the Department of Justice said in a recent report.

Chad Dupape, 29, of Fountain Valley and Vincent Edward Wilson, 53, of Long Beach both pleaded guilty in committing the robberies.

Dupape admitted to committing four armed bank robberies and attempted bank robberies in the cities of Seal Beach, Long Beach and Fountain Valley.

At one of the robberies, he displayed a knife, and at another, he brandished a handgun toward the teller, Department of Justice Spokesperson Thom Mrozek said. During the robberies, the suspect would brandish weapons and aggressively demands cash, said Laura Eimiller of the FBI. "He threatened to hurt victims if they don't comply with demands," she said.

"Wilson pleaded guilty to the Chase Bank and U.S. Bank robberies," Mrozek said. "He also admitted that he drove Dupape to the other robberies, where he acted as look-out.

Each of the armed bank robbery charges carries a statutory maximum penalty of 25 years in federal prison, Mrozek said.

If he receives the maximum sentence, Dupape could spend the rest of his life--as much as 100 years--in prison.

Both men will be sentenced later this year, Dupape in August, and Wilson in November.

FBI Photos