Authorities in the city of Temecula have apprehended Sonny Tho Leu, a 62-year-old Murrieta resident, in connection with three bank robberies that shook the normally quiet community. As reported by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, the most recent robbery took place on June 4th at around 11:51 a.m., when Leu allegedly used a note to demand money from a bank teller on Margarita Road. Responding to a panic alarm, deputies were informed by bank employees that an Asian male adult, wearing a blue shirt, a baseball cap, and carrying an orange bag, had just committed the robbery and then fled with an undisclosed amount of money.
The same day, two other banks in nearby Murrietawere reportedly struck by a suspect matching Leu's description, which prompted a swift response from local law enforcement. A suspect vehicle was spotted and subsequently pulled over by Murrieta Police Department officers, who managed to take Leu into custody without further incident. Leu was found to be the sole occupant of the vehicle, giving law enforcement the break they needed to link him to each of the robberies directly.
The investigation, led by the Southwest Sheriff Station’s Robbery/Burglary Suppression Team in collaboration with the Murrieta Police Department detectives, concluded with a search warrant being executed at Leu's home and vehicle. This search unearthed "several items of evidentiary value" connecting him to the series of robberies. The success of this operation hinges on this collaborative effort, showcasing the importance of interdepartmental cooperation when solving such crimes.
After being positively identified as the individual responsible, Leu was eventually booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center on multiple counts including robbery and criminal threats. Community members with knowledge of the events, particularly the incident in Temecula, are encouraged to step forward with any additional information and contact Sergeant J. Hephner of the Southwest Station RBST Team at (951) 304-5087. The Sheriff's Department is keen to ensure that all leads are thoroughly followed up to reinforce the message that such brazen acts will not go unpunished in their jurisdiction.
