Paroled Killer Held After Robbery, Chase

A paroled killer suspected of robbing a Bank of America branch at Fashion Island on Tuesday was captured after he led police on a high-speed chase to a Corona del Mar beach bluff, police said.

Officers tracked the suspect by helicopter after he fled on a motorcycle from a Bank of America branch at 500 Newport Center Drive at 12:15 p.m., police said. He headed to Inspiration Point and dumped a backpack containing the bank money over the cliff into the surf. Three motorcycle officers confronted him.

“He was fearless,” Officer Mark Miller said. “I drew my gun and told him twice I would shoot if he didn’t stop, but he just took off.”

Lt. Jim Carson and Det. Sgt. Pat O’Sullivan said the suspect, paroled a month ago for a gang-related killing in Garden Grove, jumped back on the motorcycle, lost his balance and tipped over. He then ran across the boulevard into the yards of several large homes. Three officers trapped him as he came out of an alley, police said. All four fell into a large rosebush and suffered scratches and bruises.

Police said the 25-year-old man’s name is either Armando Mendoza Jr. or Alberto Moreno Jr.

Picnickers and beach-goers were stunned by the chase.

“I was headed here just to have some quiet, a nice lunch at the beach,” said Steve Felner. “All I saw was this guy throw his helmet and run, with a swarm of motorcycle cops and police cars behind him. I sat back and said, ‘Wait a minute, I don’t no need to go any farther.’ ”

A stolen semiautomatic handgun was found in the suspect’s pocket, police said. The backpack was recovered, but Newport Beach marine and fire rescue divers unsuccessfully searched the jagged tidal pools for other evidence.

“Visibility was low and the object we were looking for is very small,” said marine officer Brent Jacobsen. “It’s a real dangerous spot because of the jagged rocks.”

The suspect will be arraigned this morning on federal bank robbery charges.