SAN FRANCISCO—On Friday, September 12, the San Francisco Police Department reported that they arrested a suspect connected to three bank robberies in the Central District.
The SFPD reported on September 10, at approximately 12:02 p.m., officers assigned to Central Station responded to a bank located on the 1100 block of Grant Avenue regarding a robbery activation. Upon arrival, officers learned that the male suspect entered the business and passed a note to an employee demanding money. The employee complied and provided the suspect with a bag of U.S. currency. The suspect fled from the area with the money.
The SFPD Robbery Unit was notified of the incident and responded to the scene to take over the investigation.
With help from SFPD Ambassadors and leads from the community, investigators were able to identify the bank robbery suspect as Valentino Luchin, 62, of San Francisco. Further investigation revealed that Luchin lived in the Central District. Officers formulated a strategic plan that led to Luchin’s apprehension without further incident.
On the same day, two additional bank robberies transpired in the Central District involving a similar suspect description and modus operandi (MO). Officers determined that the suspect who committed these robberies was Luchin.
He was transported to San Francisco County Jail and booked on the charge of robbery (211 PC), attempted robbery (664/211 PC 2nd), and robbery (211 PC 2nd degree).
Due to the hard work of Central District officers, investigators, and SFPD Ambassadors, the suspect was swiftly identified and apprehended.
