Splashy Getaway Car Dooms Prolific Bank Robber, Police say

WHITTIER, CA — It was the getaway car that helped investigators identify and arrest their suspect Tuesday in a series of Los Angeles area bank robberies, including three banks in three hours.

Detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department's Major Crimes Bureau-Burglary and Robbery Task Force and the FBI identified Richard Martinez after they identified a late model black convertible Chevrolet Camaro at the scene of the robberies as the getaway car, said Deputy Brenda Serna of the Sheriff's Information Bureau.

From there, it only took a few days to track Martinez to a home in Whittier, according to the sheriff's department.

At 2 p.m, Tuesday, "detectives saw Suspect Martinez emerge from a residence in the 10600 block of Reichling Lane, Whittier. The team of detectives and FBI agents quickly detained Suspect Martinez without incident," the sheriff's department said in a written statement.

At the home, investigators found a loaded pistol gripped shotgun, a loaded 9MM handgun with an extended magazine and a demand note, according to the sheriff's department.

The robberies, which authorities say occurred on Aug. 15, were near each other and shared the same modus operandi, including the demand note. The crimes also involved the same suspect and vehicle description.

On Tuesday, authorities arrested Martinez, on suspicion of robbery and being a convicted felon in possession of two firearms. Authorities are investigating to determine if Martinez may be linked to additional robberies that have recently occurred in the Southern California Area

Martinez is being held on $50,000 bail and is expected in court on Thursday.

City News Service contributed to this report.