Fountain Valley Bank Robbery-Would Be Bomber Suspect Arrested

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA—The suspect from Monday's Bank of America bank robbery and bomb threat was arrested Wednesday, July 20 from a Santa Ana motel.

Scott Martin Richetts, a 50-year-old Santa Ana resident, was located and arrested on suspicion of bank robbery after Fountain Valley Police Detectives received a tip to his whereabouts.

Police originally responded to the 16100 block of Harbor Boulevard, Bank of America, regarding a bank robbery that had just occurred, according to reports from Fountain Valley Police Department.

"The suspect entered the bank and approached a teller, grabbed a hold of the teller’s hand and demanded money," the report stated.

READ: Bank Robbery Bomb Scare in Fountain Valley

The teller complied and handed the suspect cash at which time he exited the bank.

"As the suspect fled on foot he said he had a bomb in his backpack, which was left inside the bank," the report stated.

The bank was evacuated and the Orange County Sheriff’s Bomb Squad was requested to render the backpack safe. No explosives were located in the backpack.

"Fountain Valley Detectives received a tip which led to the identity of the suspect," the report continued. "Detectives, working alongside the FBI, located the suspect at a motel in Santa Ana."

On July 20th the suspect was taken into custody without incident as he exited the motel room.

During interview with Fountain Valley Police Detectives, Richetts admitted to the robbery and was subsequently booked at the Orange County Jail for robbery, making a bomb threat, and a probation violation. His bail was set at $50,000.00.