“Poodle Bandit” Pleads Guilty to Six Bank Robberies, Admits Seventh

FRESNO—United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced today that Belko Yovanovich, 52, of Summerset, California pleaded guilty today to six counts of armed bank robbery.

This case is the product of a joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and local law enforcement from each of the robbery locations. Assistant United States Attorney Elana S. Landau is prosecuting the case.

Yovanovich, dubbed the “Poodle Bandit” due to a curly gray wig he wore during each of the alleged robberies, admitted he robbed six banks in five counties within the Eastern District of California between March 8 and May 6, 2010. Yovanovich further admitted that during each of the robberies, he entered the bank and, armed with a handgun, ordered the bank tellers inside to give him all the money. As part of the plea agreement, Yovanovich also admitted he robbed a bank in the Northern District of California on April 5, 2010. Yovanovich was apprehended after a good Samaritan saw him leaving the Oak Valley Bank in Modesto, California and called authorities, who were able to respond quickly and make the arrest.

The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced by United States District Judge Oliver W. Wanger on May 16, 2011, at 9:00 a.m. The defendant is facing up to 150 years’ imprisonment. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.