Local News in Brief : Robbery Suspects Caught

Three men believed responsible for at least 31 bank robberies throughout Southern California have been arrested in Walnut by Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies acting on an anonymous tip about a suspicious car, a sheriff’s spokesman said Monday.

Sheriff’s Deputy Gabe Ramirez said the three were arrested late Sunday, booked for investigation of bank robbery and were being held without bail. They were sought by the FBI, the U.S. marshal’s office and police in La Habra, Orange and Pasadena. They were also being sought for parole violations, Ramirez said.

The suspects were identified as Dennis McCrudden, 37, a transient, Edward Serrano, 37, of Huntington Beach, and James Basnight, 38, of Newport Beach.

Ramirez said an unidentified caller told deputies at the Walnut sheriff’s station that he was suspicious about a 1985 Chevrolet Camaro parked near a house trailer. A check of the license plate revealed that the car was stolen and had been used in a bank robbery.

Also arrested were the house trailer residents, Charles Rasmussen, 38, and his wife, Cynthia, 31, who were booked for investigation of harboring a known felon. They were being held in lieu of $5,000 bail each, Ramirez said.