Local News in Brief : Suspects in 14 Valley Bank Robberies Held
Los Angeles police Thursday afternoon arrested two San Fernando Valley men suspected separately of robbing at least 14 banks, most in the Valley.
Police at 4:40 p.m. arrested a Granada Hills man, Stewart Essrig, 32, suspected in at least eight robberies since February, said Lt. Bruce Meyer. Essrig allegedly used a handgun in some of the robberies, most of which were at Valley banks, Meyer said.
A Mission Hills man, Anthony Fasanella, 37, was being held without bail Thursday night for transfer into the custody of the Federal Bureau of Investigation today, Detective Joe Getherall said.
Police suspect Fasanella in six Valley robberies this month in which the thief would present tellers with a demand note, then stuff the money in an expandable folder.
Police would not say what banks were robbed or how much money was taken.
Fasanella was arrested at a Canoga Park motel about 3:20 p.m., Getherall said.
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