Man accused of robbing 3 San Diego banks while using fake bombs pleads not guilty
Roberto Sepulveda held on $200K bail
Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Posted: 12/21/2012
Last Updated:
152 days ago
SAN DIEGO - A man who allegedly threatened tellers with fake bombs during three San Diego-area bank robberies pleaded not guilty Thursday to six felony charges, including robbery and making a false bomb report.
Roberto Amado Sepulveda -- dubbed the alleged "Bank Bomb Bandit" -- was ordered held on $200,000 bail.
Deputy District Attorney Martin Doyle told Judge Laura Alksne that Sepulveda robbed a Chase bank branch in Imperial Beach on Nov. 17 after placing a fake bomb in front of a teller.
Next, Sepulveda allegedly robbed an AmericanWest bank in Point Loma on Nov. 21 after pulling out a fake bomb and fake gun, Doyle said.
Sepulveda, 24, also held up a Navy Federal Credit Union in southern San Diego on Monday, saying he had a bomb strapped to his chest and telling people "Merry Christmas" as he left, Doyle alleged.
Alksne scheduled a bail review for Dec. 26 and a preliminary hearing for Jan. 4.
Sepulveda faces seven years and eight months in prison if convicted, the prosecutor said.
Copyright 2012 by City News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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