Good Samaritans capture bank robbery suspect in Moreno Valley
Moreno Valley, California - On Monday, June 02, 2008, about 1:04 PM, a suspect entered the Bank of America branch, located at 25940 Iris Ave, Moreno Valley. The suspect approached a teller and produced a note, demanding money. While the clerk was reading the note, the suspect became agitated and verbally demanded the teller give him bills in $100 denominations. The teller complied, and the suspect fled the bank with the cash.
The robbery drew the attention of a bank customer who had been waiting in line. The customer, Mr. Herbert Shepherd, left the bank to see which way the suspect had fled. When Mr. Shepherd exited the bank, he joined up with his friend, Mr. Damon Spicer, and the two Good Samaritans went after the suspect who had last been seen running westbound on Iris Ave.
Mr. Shepherd and Mr. Spicer drove their car after the suspect and briefing lost sight of him. They continued to drive the local streets, searching the area, and spotted the suspect a few blocks away, on Pacato Road. Mr. Shepherd and Mr. Spicer turned their car in front of the suspect to thwart his escape. Undeterred, the suspect turned and continued southbound on Padre Ct. The two men exited their car and chased after the suspect on foot, capturing him a short distance away.
Moreno Valley Police Officers responded to Padre Ct. and placed the suspect under arrest. The officers recovered a significant amount of money, which had been hidden nearby. The suspect was identified as J. R. Cornelius, 59, or Moreno Valley. He was booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center on robbery charges. The bank branch was closed for several hours, as detectives from the Moreno Valley Police Department and the F.B.I. investigated the crime.
Mr. Damon Spicer (left) and Mr. Herbert Shepherd after capturing the bank robber.
While the Moreno Valley Police Department appreciates the efforts of the Good Samaritans in this case, the Department does not encourage citizens to physically apprehend suspects, as there is an inherent danger in doing so. The Department asks citizens to serve as good witnesses and immediately call 911 to report suspect information when a crime is in progress or has just occurred.