| For Immediate Release Case #08CF0345 February 4, 2008 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
“HOBO BANDIT” AND GET-AWAY DRIVER CHARGED WITH STRING OF ORANGE COUNTY BANK ROBBERIES
SANTA ANA – A man was charged today with committing one attempted and two Orange County banks robberies. A co-defendant was charged with robbery and attempted robbery and is accused of being the get-away driver. Kirby Guyette, 52, a transient, named by law enforcement as the “Hobo Bandit,” faces a maximum sentence of six years and eight months if convicted. Jack Paine, 52, Santa Ana, faces a maximum of seven years and eight months if convicted. Paine has two prison prior sentencing enhancements for possession of narcotics convictions in 1996 and 1999.
The People will request bail be set at $500,000 for Guyette and Paine. Both defendants are scheduled to be arraigned today, Monday, February 4, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. in Department C-57, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.
On January 22, 2008, Guyette is accused of entering a Bank of America in Santa Ana and approaching a female teller. He is accused of handing her a note demanding money. After the teller handed him the cash, Guyette is accused of walking out of the bank and getting into a waiting car. Paine is accused of being the get-away driver in a green Chevrolet Astro van and helping Guyette to flee the scene.
On January 26, 2008, Guyette is accused of entering the same Bank of America in Santa Ana and approaching a male teller with the intent to commit another robbery. The female teller from the first robbery recognized the defendant and alerted her co-worker. The male teller told Guyette that he would not allow him to commit the robbery. Guyette is accused of looking around and then leaving the bank. Paine is accused of waiting outside in the van and the two defendants are accused of fleeing the scene together.
On January 28, 2008, Guyette is accused of walking into a Washington Mutual in Foothill Ranch and handing the male teller a demand note. He is accused of robbing the teller and leaving the bank.
Guyette and Paine were arrested Thursday, January 31, 2008, after Santa Ana police officers spotted the green Astro van in a liquor store parking lot. Both defendants were in the car.
Deputy District Attorney Sandra Nassar of the Career Criminals Unit is prosecuting this case.
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