Bank Robber who Made Getaway by Bus Sentenced to 7 Years

A 25-year-old bank robber who tried to make his getaway on a public bus in Laguna Beach was sentenced today to seven years in prison.

Kyle Alan Veach, who robbed the bank only a few days after finishing a two-year sentence for committing another felony, pleaded guilty March 19 to second-degree robbery.

Just before noon last July 17, Veach handed a note announcing the robbery to a teller at a U.S. Bank branch at 310 Glenneyre St., according to Deputy District Attorney Craig Cazares. The note claimed he had a gun, but no weapon was found on Veach when he was arrested, Cazares said.

After Veach pocketed about $3,000, he walked to a nearby liquor store, where he bought a T-shirt and baseball hat "to change his appearance," Cazares said.

Veach then walked to a bus stop to await for his getaway ride, but police caught up to him first, Cazares said.

"He had the cash on him and he basically confessed," Cazares said. "It appears to not be a very well-planned bank robbery."

Veach must do 85 percent of the sentence, Cazares said.

If Veach gets another felony conviction, it will make him a third- striker, making him eligible for a sentence of 25 years to life, Cazares said.

--City News Service