Anaheim police arrest man suspected of attempting to burglarize bank

A 29-year-old transient was arrested inside a Bank of America branch in Anaheim on Monday, Jan. 21 on suspicion of attempted burglary.

Luis Fernando Bautista was arrested inside the branch at 1818 S. Euclid St. about 2 p.m., according to Anaheim police Sgt. Jeff Mundy.

The bank was closed because of Martin Luther King Jr. Day but Bautista was seen on closed circuit video from inside the branch that was being monitored by a bank employee, according to Mundy. He said the incident was initially reported as an armed robbery, but officers did not find evidence that a weapon was involved.

The employee called police when he spotted Bautista on the video feed, Mundy said. When officers arrived they found the bank’s front door forced open and saw Bautista rifling through drawers and offices and attempting to enter the vault, Mundy said.

Before police arrived, several customers also went inside the bank because Bautista had left the front door open, Mundy said.

Anyone with information on the attempted burglary is asked to call Anaheim police at (714) 765-1900. Tipsters can also call Crime Stoppers at (855) TIP-OCCS.

Bautista was booked on suspicion of commercial burglary and vandalism. He was being held in lieu of $20,000 bail, Mundy said.