Jun 24, 2009 1:15 pm US/Pacific
Alleged 'Will Shoot' Bandit Has Colorful History
Police Learn More About Suspect Caught By Retired Police Officer During Alleged Heist
ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. (CBS) ―
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The alleged 'Will Shoot' bandit, seen here in surveillance video, has a colorful history.
CBS
Authorities are learning more about an alleged bank robber who was nabbed by a retired police officer in Orange County on Saturday.
Police, who have positively identified him as the 'Will Shoot' bandit, said he has a more colorful history than they had previously thought.
According to officials, the suspect served three years for robbing a casino cage at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas back in the 90's.
Authorities planned to release more surveillance video and pictures Wednesday.
They also believe the 'Will Shoot' bandit may be responsible for robbing eight banks alone in the Orange County area and say he was not a routine bank robber.
On June 20th, Cindy Orel, a former police officer tackled the suspected serial robber as he allegedly tried to hold up a bank in Mission Viejo.
Orel, 54, who had been retired from the police force for three years spent two and a half decades on the Long Beach police force.
"I just did it. I mean it was a bank robbery. To be honest, I thought when the woman yelled out that he had a gun I looked at all the people and I thought, I'm going to be sprayed with a bullet… I mean I really did," Orel, the former police officer said during a news conference.
Deputies said the bandit had just held up the Bank of America inside when Orel, with help from a very fit customer, were able to capture him.
"You know, we were both trying to hang unto him. I actually went around and got behind him and we ended up against the wall with me with my arm around his neck," Orel explained.
Orel, who is a trim 128 pounds, used what's known as carotid neck restraint on the 225 pound alleged robber.
She applied the choke hold so well that the suspect lost consciousness twice. As it turned out, the suspect was unarmed.
Now, the notorious bank robber has confessed, according to the FBI.
As the saying goes… once a cop, always a cop!
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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