His Own Note Traps Suspect in 4 Bank Robberies

Detectives arrested a man they say robbed four banks in Irvine and Santa Ana, catching the suspect with one of the holdup notes still in his wallet, police said Thursday.

Law enforcement officials arrested James Reyes Lopez, 41, of Santa Ana, on Wednesday after staking out several areas he typically frequented, said Acting Lt. Al Murray of the Irvine police.

Murray credited old-fashioned police work by Irvine Det. John Bledsoe for the arrest.

“Bledsoe had taken the initiative to put some little pieces together,” Murray said. “It’s not something that was so obvious, ‘Hey, this is the guy.’ ”

Bledsoe had pieced together photos and information from a Dec. 22 bank robbery in Irvine and two others in Santa Ana, Murray said.

Just as he determined that the clues seemed to point to Lopez, a parolee, Bledsoe got word that a man fitting Lopez’s description had walked into the United Savings Bank at 15333 Culver Drive about 3 p.m. Wednesday and handed the teller a note demanding money, Murray said. When the frightened teller panicked and didn’t comply, the robber fled, police said.

Bledsoe enlisted the help of Santa Ana police, who arrested Lopez shortly after the failed holdup.

Detectives searched the suspect’s home and said they confiscated clothing they believe was used in the robberies. They also found in his wallet the note used in Wednesday’s attempt, Murray said.

“This is one we never would have solved,” Murray said. “Being able to catch him with evidence--timing is everything. It couldn’t have been any better.”

Lopez was arrested on suspicion of bank robbery and booked into the Orange County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail.