OXNARD : Suspect in 2 Bank Holdups Arrested

Authorities Friday arrested a 37-year-old Oxnard man believed responsible for two Ventura County bank robberies in the past three weeks.

FBI and Oxnard Police Department investigators arrested Ruben Barajas without incident at an Oxnard residence, said Charlie J. Parsons, Los Angeles’ FBI special agent in charge.

Barajas is suspected of committing robberies Sept. 21 at the Bank of America, 755 W. Channel Islands Blvd. in Port Hueneme, and Sept. 19 at the Bank of America, 455 S. A St. in Oxnard.

An investigation is also continuing into whether Barajas may have been one of two people who robbed a third Bank of America branch Sept. 8 in Oxnard.

The quality of photographs from the banks’ surveillance cameras and the thoroughness of victims’ statements “enhanced considerably” the investigation, Parsons said.

Barajas is being held without bail in Ventura County Jail. He is scheduled to appear Oct. 20 in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles for a preliminary hearing.

If convicted, Barajas could receive up to 20 years in prison for each robbery.