Irvine Police Arrest Man Suspected in String of Bank Robberies

Thursday, September 7, 2017

Irvine, Calif. (Sept. 7, 2017) – The Irvine Police Department (IPD) has arrested a suspect in a string of recent bank robberies in Irvine and other cities. Ryan Alan Niedringhaus, 38, of Huntington Beach was taken into custody Wednesday evening.

On Wednesday at 12:02 p.m., IPD responded to a report of a bank robbery at East West Bank inside 99 Ranch Market, 5402 Walnut Ave. The suspect – described as a white male, 30-40 years old, 5’11” with dark hair – entered the bank and passed a note to a teller demanding cash. The teller complied, and the suspect then fled the bank on foot. No weapon was used, and no one was injured in the robbery.

A loss prevention officer at the bank observed the suspect cross the street and get into a dark-colored Dodge Ram at the Park and Ride located at Jeffrey and Walnut. The loss prevention officer was able to obtain the full license plate of the vehicle.

Irvine PD officers tied the vehicle to Niedringhaus and began surveilling his apartment in Huntington Beach. Meanwhile, an off-duty IPD officer familiar with the case spotted the abandoned suspect vehicle in the Trabuco Canyon area. IPD detectives were able to locate Niedringhaus at a restaurant in nearby Foothill Ranch. He was taken into custody without incident around 5 p.m. IPD later found items nearby linking Niedringhaus to the crime.

Once in custody, Niedringhaus admitted to a crime spree that included five bank robberies or attempted robberies dating to June. The crimes include:

  • June 1, 2017: Attempted Robbery at Chase bank in Hacienda Heights
  • June 8: Bank Robbery at Chase bank in Anaheim
  • June 29: Bank Robbery at East West Bank inside 99 Ranch Market, Irvine
  • Aug. 30: Attempted Robbery at East West Bank inside 99 Ranch Market, Irvine
  • Sept. 6: Robbery at East West Bank inside 99 Ranch Market, Irvine

The total loss is estimated at $11,000. The cash was not recovered.

The investigation in this case is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Jason Renshaw at 949-724-7244.

 

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