The San José Police Department has apprehended two suspects, Brandon Lopez and Tamara Bush, for a series of six bank robberies across Northern California, as reported on March 13th. Both residents of Antioch, Lopez, 37, was identified as the alleged perpetrator who entered banks and demanded cash, while Bush, 43, is believed to have been the getaway driver in each case.
San José officers first responded to a bank robbery on West Capitol Expressway in February, where Lopez reportedly passed a note and made off with over $1,000. Following a substantial investigation by the SJPD Robbery Unit, it was discovered, armed with just a note to the teller, that Lopez also struck five other banks, including attempts in Milpitas and Sacramento. Bush, assigned the role of his accomplice, is accused of aiding his escape after each heist.
Upon serving a search warrant at Lopez's home on March 6th, police found an unregistered loaded Glock and ammunition. The duo was subsequently arrested and, as stated by the San José Police Department, they were charged and are now facing robbery charges in Santa Clara County Main Jail, with additional charges pending in other counties.
The SJPD encourages anyone with information on these or similar crimes to come forward, promising confidentiality and potentially offering cash rewards from the Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers Program for tips leading to an arrest. Information can be submitted anonymously through various channels, including the P3TIPS mobile app and the crime stoppers' website. Detective Grodin of the SJPD Robbery Unit can also be reached for direct communications regarding these cases.
