WHITTIER
FBI agents arrested a former Pasadena police officer suspected of robbing four local banks and searched his home Wednesday.
Vincent Cantu, 44, is in custody on a federal arrest warrant, according to FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller. She said he is expected to be charged with one or more bank robberies in La Habra.
Cantu, who was being held in a Santa Ana federal facility, is scheduled to appear before a judge today at the Ronald Reagan Federal Building and Courthouse in Santa Ana.
Thom Mrozek, spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office, said Cantu hasn't been charged yet.
At their first appearance in federal court, Mrozek said defendants aren't asked to enter a plea but bail is expected to be set.
Cantu's lawyer, Grant Hoagland, said they will ask for bail and hopefully get Cantu out this weekend.
"He's under investigation for multiple robberies," Eimiller said.
Federal authorities suspect Cantu of being the "Polite Bandit" who robbed the Banco Popular at 12333 S. La Mirada Blvd. in La Mirada twice and also hit the Banco Popular at 3160 Colima Road in Hacienda Heights. The armed bandit earned the moniker because he apologized to tellers.
Until Wednesday, Cantu had been out on $50,000 bond. La Habra police originally arrested him Aug. 15 on suspicion of robbing a Banco Popular at 401 E. Whittier Blvd.
Officers got a description of a getaway vehicle. They pulled over Cantu, who was driving a silver Toyota FJ Cruiser, at Las Lomas Drive, west of Euclid Street.
Hoagland said officers found no weapon, no money and no "indication of a crime" in the vehicle.
Eimiller said Cantu is also a suspect in the June 24 robbery of the Pacific Mercantile Bank at 1530 W. Whittier Blvd. in La Habra.
An armed man wearing sunglasses, a hat and a bandanna robbed this La Habra bank at 5:17 p.m. He apologized for the heist.
"He said, 'I'm sorry to do this to you guys but give me all your money. ... Just call the cops in about five minutes,'" Eimiller said.
On Wednesday morning, Hoagland said Cantu got in his wife's vehicle, was followed by officers and pulled over.
"I had a cell call from him at 10 a.m. ... He was pulled over. He indicated 20 officers with drawn guns (were) ordering him out of his car. He was afraid," Hoagland said.
Agents walked out of the Cantu's house in the 16400 block of Janine Drive on Wednesday carrying a computer, paper bags and a small safe. Officers from the La Habra Police Department and sheriff's deputies were also at the house.
FBI officials declined to say what evidence, if any, was found.
Resident Chris George had forgotten something at his home, returned and saw about 10 officers at his neighbor's house.
"He is a good neighbor, a good father. He's a good friend. I am shocked at the allegations that he's a bank robber," George said.
He said one could count on Cantu to help out like taking his kids to school or him to the garage when his car needed service.
Cantu worked eight years as a Pasadena police officer and retired in 1996 after injuring a knee. He has no criminal record.
He has two sons and reportedly coached at Murphy Ranch Little League. The league has declined comment.
Records with the state Bureau of Security and Investigative Services show Cantu was issued a firearm permit on April 21. He is registered as a guard/patrolperson with the state.
Both licenses are valid until April 30, 2010.
FedEx spokeswoman Denise Lauer said that Cantu had worked for their company but left several years ago.
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