Synopsis
On Friday, First California Bank (32100 Agoura Road) had an armed robbery at 11:40am. This was the latest in a string of nine robberies that the FBI has been pursuing in the area. Sheriff Deputy Foss heard the broadcast with descriptions, spotted a vehicle matching the description and stopped the car. The suspects, bank money and recovered evidence were all taken into custody.
Full Release from Sheriff Department
First California Bank Robbery City of Westlake Village, Tri-Cities Bandits Arrested
Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff Station received a call from the First Cal Bank located in the City of Westlake Village indicating they had just been robbed. Initial information obtained from bank employees stated one male adult suspect (later identified as Ernest Viana), had entered the bank and passed a note to one of their tellers demanding large denominations of money. No type of weapon was used by the suspect during the robbery. Upon exiting the bank, the suspect entered a getaway vehicle driven by a second male accomplice (Oleg Gorokhovsky), who fled from the location. A Los Angeles Sheriff?s Department Major Crimes detective was at the Malibu/Lost Hills station when the call was received.
The detective recognized the description of the two suspects as that of the possible Tri-Cities bank robbers, responsible for (9) prior robberies in the Los Angeles area, occurring over the last (2) months. The additional information provided by the detective was immediately relayed to Malibu/Lost Hills patrol deputies.
While on patrol in the area of Topanga Canyon and the 101 Freeway, Deputy Foss of Community Oriented Policing Services Bureau heard the broadcast and spotted a vehicle matching the description. A High Risk traffic stop was conducted by Deputy Foss along with assisting deputies, both suspects were taken into custody without incident. Bank money as well as other evidence was recovered from the suspect?s vehicle.
The bank robbery is currently under investigation by the FBI along with Los Angeles County Sheriff?s Department Major Crimes Bureau. The dollar amount of the recovered stolen money is not being disclosed at this point of the investigation.
Fortunately, the close relationship shared by the multiple Sheriff?s Department entities and the FBI, the apprehension of the Tri-Cities bank robbers has enhanced the safety of the communities we serve.
For more information, contact the Lost Hills Station Watch Commander at 818-878-1808