The Inland Empire Crime Blog

On December 21, 2009, about 5:08 PM, officers from the Temecula Police Department responded to an in-progress bank robbery at the Chase Bank located at 29640 Rancho California, Temecula. Responding officers arrived and learned that a male bank robber had fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash.

Witnesses at the bank described the suspect as a white male adult, 30 to 40 years old, 6’02” tall, about 250 pounds. The suspect was described as balding or having a shaved head with a gray goatee. The suspect was seen wearing a gray jacket and black shorts. Another witness reported the suspect ran into her parked car in the Target shopping center. The suspect dropped a wad of money onto the parking lot and then ran toward and disappeared into the area of the Target store’s garden center.

Multiple police cars arrived in the area and began searching for the suspect. About 6:08 PM a second call for service at the Quality Nissan car dealership resulted in the identification of the bank robbery suspect as Daniel Shepherd (age 38) with a recent address in the City of Murrieta. While at the car dealership Shepherd attempted to obtain a car, but he was unsuccessful. Shepherd left the car dealership and walked north on Ynez Road toward Costco.

A Temecula Police Officer assigned to the high-visibility retail patrol unit saw Shepherd walking near the Union Bank located on Ynez and Winchester Roads. The officer confronted Shepherd and a short foot pursuit occurred. Shepherd ran into the middle of Ynez Road. With assistance of motorcycle police and patrol units, Shepherd was arrested and later booked into the Southwest Detention Center.

Anyone with information concerning this incident is encouraged to contact Investigator Mott (951) 696-3000.

via Riverside County Sheriff’s Department – Press Release.