Wanted Bank Robbery Suspect Captured

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Friday, March 3, 2000

"Wanted Bank Robbery Suspect Captured"

Granada Hills – On Friday, March 3, 2000, David DeLeon, male White, 43 years of age, was arrested by the LAPD for a felony warrant for bank robbery.

DeLeon first came to the attention of the LAPD, Robbery-Homicide Division (RHD), when he robbed a Bank of America in Devonshire Area on January 26, 2000. In the interim, before DeLeon could be taken into custody, he robbed four more banks in Devonshire Area. The dates of those robberies were February 7, February 14, and two on February 25, 2000.

On March 3, 2000, Operations Valley Bureau Detectives was, at the request of RHD, monitoring the residence of DeLeon’s girlfriend when he was observed in the immediate area. When the detectives attempted to take DeLeon into custody he fled in a vehicle which was later discovered to be stolen. The LAPD units pursued DeLeon on to the northbound on 14 Freeway where the pursuit was relinquished to the California Highway Patrol (CHP). DeLeon was pursued into Kern County where he was taken into custody without incident after the vehicle he was driving became disabled from driving over spike stripes placed in the roadway by the CHP.

DeLeon’s method of operation (MO) was to enter a bank and verbally demand money form bank tellers.

DeLeon is currently on parole for bank robbery.

DeLeon was booked for 211P.C. (Bank Robbery) with a No Bail hold.

Prepared by Lieutenant Otis Dobine, Officer-in Charge, Bank Robbery/Hijack Section, Robbery-Homicide Division, 213-485-0780.

For Release 5:00 pm PST
March 3, 2000