"Late Bloomer Bandit" in Custody

Whittier Police Detectives arrested 52 year-old Martin Ridgeway on Wednesday in conjunction with three robberies committed over the last two months; the first being on March 28th inside the Ralph's supermarket on Painter Avenue and Whittier Boulevard. Once inside the Ralph's, Ridgeway approached the Union Bank and demanded cash while simulating a handgun in his waistband. After talking to police, witnesses described Ridgeway as an older White male with grey hair; a description that proved consistent in subsequent robberies.

Not wasting any time, Ridgeway struck the Banco Popular inside the Wal-Mart in Pico Rivera the next day using a similar M.O.. Then, on April 16th, Ridgeway made his final stop at the Banco Popular inside Wal-Mart in Santa Fe Springs. This time however, good witness statements coupled with a partial license plate kept Whittier Detectives hot on Ridgeway's trail. Following investigative leads, Detectives arrived at a residence in the county area of Whittier where they found a silver 2000 Hyundai Tiburon that matched the vehicle description. Further investigation of the residence revealed a white male in his 50’s with a history of robbery; this would prove to be Ridgeway.

Using an old booking photo, Detectives presented “line-up’s” to victims and witnesses in all three robberies and Ridgeway was positively identified as the culprit. After bolstering their case further, Detectives made their move yesterday at 2:30pm, arresting Ridgeway after pulling him over in his Hyundai. A search warrant was then served at Ridgeway’s place of residence that uncovered additional incriminating evidence.

After robbing three banks of approximately $4000, Ridgeway now faces Federal prosecution as the case attracted the attention of the FBI. Ridgeway is currently in custody at the Whittier Police Department with $100,000 bail.