70-year-old arrested for Halloween-masked bank robbery in Cambria
A former Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputy living in Heritage Ranch was arraigned recently in San Luis Obispo County Superior Court for the robbery of a Cambria bank. 70-year-old Bruce Franklin Valentine’s bail was set at $250,000.
San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s deputies apprehended the bank robbery suspect at his Paso Robles home on Wednesday, Nov. 20.
Bruce Franklin Valentine, 70, was arrested for the Halloween-masked armed bank robbery of the Rabobank in Cambria that occurred Nov. 7. Valentine is a former Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputy who served from 1968 to 1977 before leaving on a non-service related disability reasons, according to media reports.
Detectives with the sheriff’s office and investigators with the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s office served a search warrant at a home in the 4700 block of Egret Lane in Heritage Ranch outside of Paso Robles where they arrested him.
Valentine was taken into custody at 8:50 a.m. without incident and transported to the County Jail. Valentine became a suspect as detectives followed up on leads gained during the initial investigation of the robbery. The investigation is continuing.
The Sheriff’s Office was assisted with this investigation by the FBI, State Parks, CHP, Fish & Wildlife, and District Attorney Investigators. The Sheriff’s Office wishes to thank the employees of the Cambria Rabobank and Cambria community members for their assistance with this case.
