SAN DIEGO—The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) San Diego Violent Crimes Task Force, La Mesa Police Department, and the San Diego Police Department have made an arrest of the individual believed to be responsible for a bank robbery committed in La Mesa, California.

On December 28, 2020, at approximately 1:10 p.m., a man robbed the Bank of the West, located at 8690 Center Drive La Mesa, California. The man approached the teller and produced a threatening note demanding money. After receiving money from the teller, the robber fled on foot.

Shortly after the robbery, San Diego Police Department officers arrested Matthew Clive Handy, 31, of San Diego, on unrelated charges. Due to the strong partnerships between law enforcement agencies and effective communication between the agencies related to unsolved bank robberies, a SDPD officer recognized Handy as the bank robbery suspect and contacted investigators with the FBI and La Mesa Police Department. FBI Agents and La Mesa detectives continued their investigation and gathered additional evidence, which it provided to the San Diego County District Attorney.

Due to these collaborative efforts by San Diego law enforcement, Handy has been charged with first degree robbery. If convicted, Handy faces up to 17 years in prison. His arraignment on the bank robbery charges is currently scheduled for January 8.