San Juan Bank Robber Is Man Who Jacked Taxi, Police Say

A 31-year-old man, who allegedly robbed a Westminster bank friday before carjacking a taxi and leading police on a wild chase ending in a head-on crash, is the same man who robbed a San Juan Capistrano bank in August, according to the FBI.

Authorities believe they now have in custody the serial bank robber dubbed the “Cal Bear Bandit.” According to the FBI, Justin Hayes, of Irvine is suspected of robbing at least six Orange County banks including Chase Bank in San Juan Capistrano on Aug. 20.

On Friday, Hayes allegedly robbed a bank in Westminster, made his getaway in a waiting taxi and then carjacked the cab before leading authorities on a chase that ended in a head-on crash in which a child and three other people were injured.

The robbery occurred about at a U.S. Bank branch at 15555 Brookhurst St. The bandit, wearing a baseball cap with a Batman logo, handed a teller a note that read, “This is a robbery. I have a gun and I’m not playing,” and escaped with an undisclosed amount of cash, Laura Eimiller of the FBI said.

The suspect did not show a weapon during the stickup, she said.

The cab was spotted by an officer “and a high-risk car stop was conducted near Mile Square Park,” according to Westminster police Sgt. Cameron Knauerhaze. “The cab driver exited the cab and simultaneously, the suspect/passenger stole the cab and fled.”

The taxi driver was not involved in the robbery and remained at the scene, Knauerhaze said.

Hayes, who is also suspected bank robberies in the Los Angeles area -- led police on a chase that ended in Santa Ana when the taxi collided with another vehicle on Fairview Street, just south of Edinger Avenue, according to Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna.

Hayes, who tried to run from the crash scene, was quickly taken into custody. He was booked on suspicion of bank robbery, felony evading and auto theft, Knauerhaze said.

Two crash victims were taken to UCI Medical Center in Orange and another was taken to Western Medical Center in Santa Ana, said Orange County Fire Authority , Capt. Steve Concialdi.

Concialdi identified the patients as a woman in her 30s, her 4-year-old daughter and a 17-year-old girl, and said their injuries were considered moderate to serious, but not life-threatening.

• City News Contributed to this report.
• Photo Credit: The Cal Bear Bandit courtesy of the FBI