REDDING: Police chief nabs parolee after alleged bank robbery

REDDING — Authorities arrested a Redding area transient and parolee Monday, October 16, after the man allegedly robbed a Redding area bank. City of Redding’s police chief was instrumental in arresting the man, after locating the alleged bank robber walking about one-half mile away from the Redding Bank of Commerce, located at 1177 Placer Street in Redding.

After he was interviewed and reportedly admitted to the robbery, authorities arrested Hom Lotakoon, 48, of Redding.

Lotakoon, who officials say is a Redding-area transient and is on active parole for arson, was later booked into the Shasta County Jail on suspicion of robbery and violation of his parole, according to police officials.

The investigation began at 11:16 a.m., after a bank employee called 911 to report they had just been robbed.

The bank teller told SHASCOM emergency dispatchers the suspect presented a note to her and demanded money. The victim provided “a very detailed description of the suspect” to dispatchers who relayed the information and suspect’s description to responding officers, according to Redding Police Sgt. Jon Poletski.

“While conducting a search in the area, Redding Police Chief Roger Moore located the alleged bank robber walking  in the 900 block of South Street,” said Poletski. He was located several blocks from where the incident happened. “Chief Moore along with other responding officers took the suspect into custody.”

After Lotakoon was detained for further investigation, Redding PD investigators responded to the scene and assumed the investigation.

Officials transported Lotakoon to the Redding Police Department Investigations Division where he was interviewed and ultimately admitted to demanding money from and robbing the bank.

Anyone with additional information about this investigation and arrest is encouraged to contact Redding Police Sgt. Jon Poletski at (530) 225-4214. Callers can refer to incident file number 17-76550 and can remain anonymous.

 

 

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Trevor Montgomery, who recently moved from Riverside County to Shasta County, runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for Riverside County based newspapers Valley News, The Valley Chronicle and Anza Valley Outlook as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident.

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center and Lake Elsinore Station, along with other locations.