Jamestown, CA — A man whom the Modesto Police Department describes as a “serial bank robber” was recently arrested in Tuolumne County.
Robert Vincent Mendez allegedly robbed a bank in Turlock on September 30 and then robbed the Bank of Stockton in Modesto on October 2. While investigating the latter incident, the Modesto Police Department learned that Mendez presented a note to the teller demanding money, took cash, and fled on foot. He went into a nearby alley and changed his appearance. Then he requested a ride through a rideshare company and left the city.
Modesto Police Detectives obtained a search warrant through the rideshare service that positively identified Mendez as the suspect. Further investigative efforts that evening led them to the Chicken Ranch Casino in Jamestown, where they confirmed Mendez was on the property. Thanks to assistance from casino security personnel, Mendez was taken into custody while he was actively gambling.
Some of the cash in his possession was confirmed to be from the Modesto robbery.
The Modesto PD reports that during an interview, Mendez admitted to committing both the Modesto and Turlock robberies, as well as some others that were previously unknown to investigators.
Mendez also had a history of bank robberies in Oregon and Washington and had served time in prison.
The Modesto PD concludes, “This investigation highlights the effectiveness of coordinated police work and modern investigative technology. The combined efforts of patrol officers, RTCC personnel, detectives, law enforcement partners, and casino security resulted in the rapid apprehension of a suspected serial bank robber and the recovery of a substantial portion of the stolen funds.”
Mendez was booked into Stanislaus County Jail on suspicion of bank robbery, commercial burglary, and possession of narcotics.
