Suspected Bank Robber Comes Back With Cash

A truck driver who robbed a bank Thursday morning was so remorseful that he turned around half an hour later and brought the money back, police said.

Raymond Kurt, 56, of Loma Linda went to the Bank of America in the 13000 block of Newport Boulevard about 9:20 a.m. and slipped a teller a note demanding $1,000, Police Lt. Mike Shaninhan said.

He left with $460.

“This probably was his first robbery, and he was probably so scared that he didn’t even bother to count the money,” Shaninhan said.

No weapon was seen, and no one was harmed, police said.

About 30 minutes later, Kurt arrived back at the bank and parked his car “right back in the spot he had left.” Shaninhan said. “At 10:10 a.m. the investigating officer walked out of the bank and there Kurt was, standing there waiting to be arrested.

“He brought back every dime. It surprised the heck out of everybody.”

Kurt has no criminal record other than a drunk-driving citation, police said.

“This is a rather rare incident,” Shaninhan said. “In the 20 years I’ve been doing this, I can’t recall anyone robbing a bank and then turning around. This is a new one for me.”

He remains in Orange County Jail on $50,000 bail. The district attorney’s office will decide today whether he will be prosecuted in a state or federal court.

When he was being questioned, Kurt told investigators that he “felt remorse,” Shaninhan said.

“From his booking photo, he looks like a very depressed and tired old man,” Shaninhan said. “I mean they all usually have that sad, forlorn look. But most people don’t look the way he did. His photo made me feel kind of sad.”