SANTA ANA
A 30-year-old Orange man remained in custody Sunday after allegedly robbing a bank and leading police on a high-speed chase last week.
Authorities said Devario Tidwell carried a handgun into a Bank of America branch on 17th Street at Old Tustin Avenue about 9:40 a.m. Thursday.
Tidwell allegedly fired a shot before jumping over the bank counter and demanding cash from a teller.
It’s not clear whether the shot was aimed a someone or if it was meant as a warning, authorities said.
Tidwell took an undisclosed amount of cash and left in a Ford Thunderbird, Santa Ana Police Sgt. Raul Luna said.
Patrol cars and a police helicopter pursued the Thunderbird across most of the city until it smashed into a cinder-block wall near Segerstrom Avenue and Raitt Street.
Tidwell allegedly jumped over an 8-foot fence and fled through the backyards of nearby homes. He was arrested after he ran back onto a street and met with police officers.
A handgun, the stolen money and a baseball cap worn in the robbery were recovered from Tidwell’s car, Luna said.
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