Walker, Disguise Fail: Man Arrested, Accused Of Trying To Rob 4 Banks In Contra Costa Co.

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA – Police arrested a man accused of trying to rob four Contra Costa County banks this month after an off-duty officer spotted his vehicle Saturday in a Brentwood parking lot.

William Lear, 45, of Bethel Island, was arrested on suspicion of robbery after an officer from Fremont noticed Lear's vehicle, which had been identified through surveillance video, at a McDonald's parking lot at 7455
Brentwood Blvd., police said.

The first attempted robbery occurred on Aug. 11 when a suspect, later identified as Lear, arrived at Fremont Bank at 200 Sand Creek Road in Brentwood wearing what was visibly a disguise. Bank employees suspected he was about to rob them and denied him entry to the building, according to police.

The next day, Lear again showed up again to the same Fremont Bank but was immediately recognized. He then fled on foot, police said.

Then last Wednesday, Lear entered a Chase Bank, located at 2535 Main St. in Oakley, wearing a disguise and also using a walker as a prop. The employees at the bank were protected by bulletproof glass and refused to
comply when he demanded cash, then asked him to leave. Lear fled the scene, according to police.

The most recent incident occurred on Friday when Lear entered the BAC Community Bank at 2251 Balfour Road in Brentwood and took out what appeared to be a handgun. Lear was able to rob the bank and fled with an undisclosed amount of cash, police said.

Surveillance video in the area was able to capture Lear fleeing in a vehicle.

The next day, the off-duty Fremont officer spotted Lear's vehicle and immediately notified Brentwood police.
After responding, police witnessed Lear driving on Horne Court.

After confirming the man was in fact Lear, officers arrested him. A search of his residence yielded evidence connected to the alleged robbery and attempted robberies, according to police.

Police booked Lear into the Martinez Detention Facility with bail set at $100,000, police said.

• Also see: Suspect Rams K-9 Officer's Car With Stolen Truck: Police

--Bay City News/Images via Brentwood PD