LA HABRA
A man arrested for allegedly robbing a La Habra bank last week is a former Pasadena police officer.
The FBI said it is also investigating if the man, 44-year-old Vincent Cantu of Whittier, could be the apologetic "Polite Bandit" who hit three local banks in 2006.
"There are similarities," said FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller. She said the "Polite Bandit" robbed Banco Popular branches and the La Habra robbery was at a Banco Popular.
The bandit was seen with a gun during the 2006 heists and told victims he was sorry.
La Habra police spokeswoman Cindy Knapp said the man who robbed the Banco Popular in La Habra on Friday had a handgun and was apologetic.
Police got a call at 11:14 a.m. Friday about a robbery at the bank located at 401 E. Whittier Blvd. Officers got a description of the suspect and a vehicle seen leaving the area.
Knapp said police pulled over a silver Toyota FJ Cruiser driven by Cantu at Las Lomas Drive, west of Euclid Street.
Cantu was arrested on suspicion of robbery and taken to an Orange County sheriff's jail. Sheriff's officials said he was released Saturday after posting bond. But the records don't say how much the bail was.
Prosecutors have a month to file charges, if any, against Cantu.
He couldn't be reached for comment on Monday. Public records show his current address as a P.O. box in Whittier.
Cantu worked as an officer for the Pasadena Police Department for eight years and retired in 1996, said police spokeswoman Janet Pope Givens.
West Covina police Chief Frank Wills, who also worked at the Pasadena Police Department at the time, remembered Cantu retired for medical reasons.
"I never saw anything from him that would indicate he would get involved in something like this," Wills said. "It's so unfortunate, certainly not the Vincent Cantu I remember from 15 years ago."
Pasadena Police Officers Association President Robert Mercado said, as far as he knew, Cantu was in good standing with the union and the department when he retired. He said Cantu retired because of a knee injury.
"I hope that it's not true that he was involved in something like that," Mercado said. "It is very surprising if he was involved in something like that."
Cantu has no criminal record in Los Angeles or Orange counties, according to court records. His only brush with the law was for a minor violation.
The San Bernardino County Superior Court showed a Vincent Cantu was convicted June 27, 2002 of not having a required vehicle registration.
The robber dubbed the "Polite Bandit" hit the Banco Popular at 12333 S. La Mirada Blvd. in La Mirada on May 25 and Aug. 28, 2006, then robbed the Banco Popular at 3160 Colima Road in Hacienda Heights on Nov. 23, 2006.
During the May heist, he told one teller:, "I'm sorry, but I have to feed my kids. I'm so sorry."
He also asked tellers if they were OK and thanked them.
The "Polite Bandit" was described as Latino, 30 to 40 years old, with a mustache and stocky build. He weighs about 200 pounds and stands 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 9 inches tall. He has also worn sunglasses and a black bandanna over part of his face.
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