Countywide : Tip Leads to Arrest of 2 Suspects in Bank Robbery

A tip from an off-duty sheriff’s deputy led to the arrest of two men in Oxnard, hours after an armed robber wearing a Halloween mask held up a Thousand Oaks bank, authorities said Tuesday.

Oxnard police and the FBI arrested James Martinez, 24, of Oxnard and Robert Johnson, 22, of San Diego outside a residence in the 1800 block of Ives Avenue where Martinez lives, Sheriff’s Detective Bill Montagna said.

The arresting officers then found cash and a weapon inside the residence and a Halloween mask in a nearby trash can, he said.

The robbery occurred about 1:30 p.m. Monday when a man police believe was Johnson entered a branch of First Nationwide Bank at 49 N. Moorpark Road while three customers were present, he said.

Wearing a mask of an old man’s face and brandishing a long-barreled revolver, the robber vaulted over the counter and ordered tellers and customers to lie on the floor, Montagna said.

After removing an undisclosed amount of money from the teller drawers, the robber fled on foot and entered a waiting vehicle.

Sheriff’s Deputy John Cook, who was off duty, was nearby and recorded the car’s license number, he said.

A record check revealed that the car was registered to Martinez in Oxnard, leading to the arrests, Montagna said.

Martinez and Johnson were scheduled to be arraigned today before a federal magistrate on bank robbery charges, FBI Special Agent Gary Auer said.