San Marcos Man Arrested in Connection with Escondido Bank Robbery

The FBI, Escondido Police Department, and San Diego Sheriff’s Department are announcing the arrest of Anthony Paley Richards, age, 62 as a result of the investigation into the robbery of the U.S. Bank branch located inside the Albertsons grocery store at 1509 East Valley Parkway in Escondido, California, on Wednesday, December 26, 2012.

Richards was arrested on Tuesday, January 8, 2013, at approximately 2:00 p.m. in the vicinity of the 1900 block of West San Marcos Boulevard in San Marcos, California. Richards was taken into custody without incident by deputies from the San Diego Sheriff’s Department-San Marcos Station and FBI agents.

On Wednesday, December 26, 2012, at approximately 9:40 a.m., the U.S. Bank located inside the Albertsons grocery store at 1509 East Valley Parkway in Escondido, California, was robbed by an unknown male.

According to witnesses at the scene of the robbery, at approximately 9:40 a.m., the robber exited an older white Ford Ranger pick-up truck and entered the grocery store. The robber allegedly wandered around the store for approximately three minutes before going to the area of the bank. The robber approached a teller and presented a demand note that he pulled from a brown portfolio that he was carrying. The robber also displayed a black semi-automatic handgun and made a verbal demand for cash. While the first teller was retrieving money, the robber pointed the firearm at another bank employee and demanded cash. Both employees provided the robber with a sum of money. After receiving a sum of money, the robber walked out of the grocery store.

Subsequent investigation conducted by law enforcement led to the identification of Richards as the person allegedly responsible for this bank robbery.

Richards will be booked into the Vista Detention Center at 325 South Melrose Drive in Vista, California, and will be expected to remain there until his court appearance.

This case is being prosecuted by the San Diego District Attorney’s Office.

Anyone with information concerning this robbery is asked to contact the FBI at telephone number (858) 565-1255 or Crime Stoppers (888) 580-8477.

An arrest itself is not evidence that the defendant committed crimes charged. The defendant is presumed innocent until the government meets its burden in court of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.