Crime & Safety

Third Suspect in Bank Robbery Arrested

Authorities believe the man was involved in the "Market Duo Bandit" robberies, including the November robbery of the US Bank in Seal Beach.

A man who authorities believe may have been involved in the recent "Market Duo Bandit" robberies was arrested today in La Mirada.

Andres Soto, 50, was taken into custody in La Mirada after a felony traffic stop, according to La Habra police.

The Whittier man is the fourth suspect arrested so far in the case, which has involved a , an officer-involved shooting, a and the arrest of a man who was later released after police determined he had not been involved in the robberies.

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Los Angeles man Paul Acosta, 27, was . During the pursuit, Acosta was shot by police after he reportedly drew a replica handgun. A second man arrested soon after the chase was eventually released. FBI officials say a third suspect in the robberies was arrested several days after the shooting, according to the Orange County Register.

According to La Habra police, Soto was under surveillance when he left his house today. Police stopped him on him on the 14000 block of East Imperial Highway at 12:21 p.m. and booked him into Orange County Jail on suspicion of robbery and an unrelated misdemeanor assault warrant.

Find out what's happening in Los Alamitos-Seal Beachwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

FBI agents believe Soto may have been one of the suspects who fled after one of the "Market Duo Bandit" robberies at a US Bank branch in a Vons market at 2101 W. Imperial Highway in La Habra on Oct. 25, shortly before 4 p.m. Two suspects entered the store. The first presented a note to the teller demanding money and the second had his hand concealed in a bag, simulating a weapon. They were seen fleeing in a dark colored pickup truck.

FBI investigators believe it was the so-called "Market Duo" bandits that twice held up the Wells Fargo branch inside a Stater Bros. grocery store at 1111 Imperial Highway in Placentia, on Nov. 21, 2011, and months later on Jan. 5.

The robbers are also suspected in heists at the U.S. Bank branch at 1101 Pacific Coast Highway in Seal Beach on Nov. 3, 2011, a U.S. Bank branch at 2101 W. Imperial Highway in La Habra on Oct. 25, 2011, and a U.S. Bank at 22831 Lake Forest Dr. in Lake Forest on Dec. 10, 2011.

--City News Service contributed reporting.


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