FBI Makes Arrest in SoCal Bank Robberies

By the Arroyo Grande Police Department

On February 25th, 2023, at approximately 11:36 AM, Arroyo Grande Police Department officers responded to a reported robbery at the Chase Bank, located at 900 Rancho Parkway. The male suspect demanded money from the bank teller by passing a note, then fled the area before officers arrived.

Arroyo Grande Police Department detectives conducted a thorough investigation and learned that the suspect was connected to several other bank robberies in the Southern California area.

AGPD detectives worked with the FBI and other Southern California Police Agencies during this lengthy investigation and have been able to identify the suspect as Brandon Gear, age 37.

Gear, a resident of Newhall, CA, is believed to have committed the Bank Robbery at Chase Bank on February 25th. Because Gear is suspected of several bank robberies, the FBI took over as the lead investigating agency.

AGPD detectives continued assisting the FBI in the investigation as Gear had returned to the area several times over the past few months.

Gear was ultimately placed under arrest by the FBI on April 27th, 2023, on several robbery charges and is currently in the custody of US Marshals.