2 Caught After Phoenix Robbery : Santa Ana Shoot-Out Suspect Arrested

A former convict wanted for a holdup, kidnaping and shoot-out with Santa Ana police last week was arrested Wednesday in Phoenix after a bank robbery.

Police arrested Johnny Lee Mills, 32, of Arizona and another suspect, Vincent Velardez, 27, after their car was identified as the getaway vehicle used in an armed robbery at a Valley National Bank branch in Phoenix. A customer was shot but not seriously wounded in the robbery, police said.

The FBI told the police that Mills and possibly Velardez, were suspects in the July 12 crime spree in Santa Ana.

Mills is suspected of shooting at Santa Ana police officers who had pulled him over in a stolen car. He later allegedly led them on a high-speed chase punctuated by gunfire. Mills was wounded, police said.

Officers said Mills and two companions commandeered and abandoned a utility vehicle, then abducted and released an unidentified woman whose car was later used in an armed robbery of Mitsubishi Bank in Placentia.

Mills and his companions escaped with $3,000 to $6,000, authorities said.

Phoenix police were also fired on when they pulled in behind the suspects’ car in a K mart parking lot. The pair drove away and continued firing, police said. No one was injured.

Velardez stopped the car and surrendered while Mills escaped on foot, police said. Mills then kidnaped a woman from her home and held her hostage as he continued his attempt to flee. But when officers approached them, he let her go and turned himself in, police said.

Police found a rifle in the car and a revolver on the ground where one of the men had apparently dropped it, police said.