The “Deposit Slip Bandit” who robbed a Pacific Beach bank by writing his demand note on a deposit slip has pleaded guilty to one charge and was released on bond.
Sened Beyene Michael, 22, has agreed to pay back all three banks he robbed for a total of $10,037, according to court records. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 28 before U.S. District Court Judge Roger Benitez. Michael has posted $30,000 bond and lives with his parents in Emerald Hills.
He could face a 20-year maximum sentence in federal prison, but a shorter sentence of five years or less is more in line with federal sentencing guidelines.
The first robbery in the series occurred Nov. 28, 2016 at 3 p.m. at the Wells Fargo Bank at 1302 Garnet Ave. He wrote “I have a gun,” though the teller did not see one, and he left with $3,912.
Other robberies occurred at a bank on Federal Boulevard and in Chula Vista. Michael pleaded guilty to the Chula Vista robbery and won’t be charged with other robberies on condition he pay restitution for the others.
Michael used to work as a bank teller for U.S. Bank at 1606 Grand Ave. in Pacific Beach in 2015.
The FBI put out surveillance photos of the robber through Crime Stoppers with a $1,000 reward. A tipster said the robber looked like one man who was currently in prison and turned out to be Michael’s brother. They look similar to each other, according to records.
FBI agents looked at surveillance camera images of Michael on Feb. 15 and 16 in which he entered the Banner Bank at 1350 Rosecrans St., but got nervous and left. Michael wore clothing that was worn in other hold-ups.
Agents also conducted surveillance on the blue Nissan Versa Michael drove and interviewed people who knew him before his March 21 arrest.