BRIEFLY IN PUBLIC SAFETY

Reward offered for bank robbery suspect

The FBI is offering a reward for information leading to the capture of a suspect they believe is responsible for a string of bank robberies in the state, including one at the Laguna Beach Bank of America on Ocean Avenue Jan. 18.

The suspect, dubbed the “Turtlehead Bandit,” is believed to be responsible for six bank robberies in San Francisco and three in Los Angeles.

He is described as a white male, 5-foot-11 to 6-feet tall, age 37 to 45, 160 to 180 pounds, wearing sunglasses and a hat, with a large, straight nose. The FBI calls the bandit “armed and dangerous.”

The suspect earned the moniker “turtlehead” apparently because of the distinctive shape of his chin, Laguna Beach Police Sgt. Jason Kravetz said.

In the Laguna incident, the robber wore a white bandage on his chin, possibly to disguise his appearance, Kravetz noted.

In all the robberies, the robber gave the bank teller a note stating he has a gun and will shoot if he is not given cash, according to the FBI. The robber netted between $2,000 and $3,000 from the Laguna branch of the Bank of America.

Anyone with information is urged to contact FBI Special Agent Steve May at (310) 477-6565.

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Department welcomes three new officers

The ranks of the Laguna Beach Police Department are filling.

Three new officers have joined the department, City Manager Ken Frank announced Jan. 25, including two who live in Laguna Beach.

?Glenn Mendoza is a two-year veteran of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. Prior to becoming a deputy, he was an MRI technician. Mendoza grew up in Hawaii. As a young athlete, he studied boxing and was named “Golden Gloves champ” in his weight class two times. Mendoza has an AA degree, and he and his wife recently purchased a home in Aliso Viejo.

?Robert Thomas is a five-year veteran of the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department. He worked the main jail and patrol. He received his bachelor’s degree in physical education from Florida State University. His wife, Amy, is a former Laguna Beach city employee, and he is a former city lifeguard. They and their two children are Laguna Beach residents.

?Dan Mulrenin is a 27-year veteran of the LAPD, most recently holding the rank of Lieutenant in charge of the LAX Bomb Squad. He has worked patrol, investigations, internal affairs and narcotics. He was in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1975 to 1979, achieving the rank of sergeant. He received his bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly Pomona. He and his wife are Laguna Beach residents and have been volunteers at the city’s animal shelter.