Police Follow Anaheim Men to Scene of Seal Beach Robbery

Two Anaheim men suspected of committing about 30 bank robberies in Orange and Los Angeles counties were arrested Monday after they unknowingly led police to the scene of what police say was their latest heist--a savings and loan office in Seal Beach.

Anaheim police followed Craig A. Bateman, 23, and Paul Duane Jones, 21, both of Anaheim, from that city to Home Savings of America in the Leisure World shopping center on Seal Beach Boulevard about 11 a.m., Anaheim Police Lt. Billie L. Right said. The two had been under surveillance, Right said.

Bateman entered the savings and loan and came out three minutes later, Right said. As Bateman was getting back into his car, police learned that Home Savings had just been robbed by a man presenting a note to a teller.

Police from Seal Beach, Anaheim, Garden Grove and Buena Park joined the caravan as authorities followed the car driven by Jones northbound on Seal Beach Boulevard and then eastbound on the Garden Grove Freeway. The car was finally pulled over east of Magnolia Avenue by units from the Stanton and Westminster police departments, Right said.

Bateman and Jones were arrested and booked at the Seal Beach jail on suspicion of bank robbery. Police believe the full $600 to $700 reported stolen was recovered, Right said.

The two are believed to have committed about 30 other bank robberies in Orange, Los Angeles and other counties, Right said.

A bumper sticker on the rear of Jones’ car had this message, Right said: “The probability of someone watching you is directly proportional to the stupidity of your actions.”