On January 6th, the Chase bank branch located on the 24000 block of Valencia Blvd. was robbed. Two days later, on January 8th, the suspect was arrested. Upon further investigation, the suspect, F. C. Rowe, 49, of San Bernardino, was charged with additional robberies of Chase banks that recently occurred. The suspect was out on parole at the time he allegedly committed his crimes.
According to witnesses at the Valencia robbery, Rowe entered the bank and handed the teller a note indicating that he had a firearm and to give him money. The suspect then took the money and fled the scene with $2,100.
It’s believed that between December 23 and January 6th, Rowe stole around $19,000 from five separate Chase banks. Witnesses at the other robberies described the same M.O. each time – the suspect in a hooded sweatshirt and sunglasses would enter the bank, hand the teller a note, and then leave with whatever money he was given.
Currently, Rowe is being held at the Metropolitan Jail in lieu of $2 million dollars bail, with an FBI hold.
Robbery is covered under California Penal Code 211 PC and is described as taking personal property from someone else or their immediate presence, against the victim’s will, while using force or fear to do so. Robbery is a felony in California and carries the possible penalties of between 3 and 9 years in California state prison. Since Rowe is being charged with multiple robberies, if he is convicted on all counts, he could spend anywhere from 15 to 45 years in jail.
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