After Freeway Chase, 2 Held in Attempted ATM Robbery

A couple armed with a chrome-plated automatic pistol were arrested Thursday after attempting to rob a Fountain Valley man when he tried to withdraw money from the automated teller machine at his bank early Thursday morning, police said.

David Armstrong, 38, had pulled his car alongside a drive-up ATM at First Interstate Bank on Harbor Boulevard when the suspects blocked his car with their car, said Police Lt. John FitzPatrick.

Raymond Iglesias, 21, of Tustin got out, pointed a gun at Armstrong and demanded that he withdraw money, police said. “The victim attempted to use his ATM card but it didn’t work,” FitzPatrick said.

The assailants fled in their vehicle. A short while later, they were spotted by Costa Mesa police on the east side of town, and when officers tried to stop them, they sped off.

Police pursued the pair for 15 miles, first north on the Costa Mesa Freeway, then onto the Garden Grove Freeway, where the two finally pulled over and surrendered.

The car was driven by Alana Allen, 19, of Garden Grove. Officers discovered Iglesias hiding in the back seat, FitzPatrick said.

The couple were being held in Orange County Jail on $50,000 bail. They were charged with attempted armed robbery and evading arrest.