Laguna Beach bank robbery suspect in custody

The FBI believes they have in custody the suspect in a January 18 Bank of America robbery in Laguna Beach, Laguna Beach Police Sgt. Jason Kravetz said.

Daniel James Dunleavy, 60, of Long Beach, was arrested last week in nearby Corona del Mar waiting for a bus after allegedly robbing a Bank of America in that area.

In both incidents, the suspect told a teller he had a bomb.

Newport Beach police apprehended the suspect a short time after the latest robbery on March 6, sitting at a bus stop at Iris Avenue and East Coast Highway.

“Shortly after the Newport Beach arrest, we were alerted by the FBI that the suspect in custody might be the same person who robbed the Bank of America in January,” Kravetz said.

“The FBI is investigating the series of bank robberies.”

The suspect was dubbed the “turtlehead” bandit or the “chin” bandit because of the unusual shape of his chin, which was covered up by a bandage in the Laguna robbery.

The suspect is believed to be responsible for at least 10 robberies, six in San Francisco and four in the Los Angeles area, according to the FBI.