Three Texas men suspected of sitting in bank parking lots and watching customers come and go, typically targeting those with envelopes, money bags or coin boxes to rob them, have been arrested, the Burbank Police Department announced Thursday.
The first incident of what police called “bank jugging” occurred on Sept. 15 when Burbank Police Department officers responded to 4108 W. Magnolia Blvd., near Pass Avenue, regarding a vehicle burglary report, according to Sgt. Brent Fekety.
Officers found that the victim had arrived at the location after withdrawing money from a bank. The victim was robbed after leaving his car unlocked with the money inside, Fekety said.
Another incident was reported the next day on Sept. 16 when the Burbank police responded to the area of Burbank Boulevard and Ontario Street, between Hollywood Way and Buena Vista Street, regarding a robbery that had just occurred, Fekety said.
The victim was walking in the alley after withdrawing money from a bank when he was attacked by two men, Fekety said. The suspects took the victim’s money, entered a waiting vehicle and fled the scene, Fekety said.
Investigators believe both incidents were likely committed by the same suspects based on surveillance video of the vehicle used in the robberies.
Burbank officers watched three suspects break into a parked vehicle in Garden Grove around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Fekety said. Upon arrest of the three men, investigators recognized two of them as suspects in the previous robberies.
Detectives said they believe the three men are responsible for additional crimes in Burbank and surrounding cities.
The three suspects were identified as Christopher Freeman, 24, Leanthony Thomas, 27, and Victor Gomez-Chapman, 31, all Texas residents.
Freeman is being held without bail, Thomas is being held in lieu of a $100,000 bond and Gomez-Chapman has been freed on bail, Fekety said.
Freeman and Thomas are due to appear in court Friday. Gomez-Chapman is due to appear in court Dec. 21, 2022, Fekety said.
