Surveillance photo of the "Polite Bandit"
SANTA ANA -- A former police officer dubbed the "Polite Bandit" has been sentenced to 13½ years in prison for robbing two bank branches in Orange County.
Vincent Cantu was also ordered to pay $37,338 in restitution in a federal court in Santa Ana on Monday after pleading guilty in May.
The 46-year-old admitted robbing two La Habra banks last year. He was suspected of robbing three other banks in 2005 and 2006, but prosecutors agreed not to pursue the others as part of a plea agreement.
As part of the deal, Cantu admitted to two counts of armed robbery and using a firearm during a crime of violence. The FBI called him the "Polite Bandit" because he apologized to his victims.
Prosecutors said Cantu told one weeping bank teller that he was sorry but needed to take $10,000 for his son. They said Cantu robbed the La Habra banks because he lost his job at FedEx and was having financial problems.
His attorney Darryl Exum says Cantu developed a drinking problem after he was forced to retire from the Pasadena Police Department. He served eight years with the Pasadena Police Department and retired in 1996.
Cantu could have faced life in prison, but as part of his plea agreement prosecutors agreed not to pursue the other alleged robberies.
Vincent Cantu was also ordered to pay $37,338 in restitution in a federal court in Santa Ana on Monday after pleading guilty in May.
The 46-year-old admitted robbing two La Habra banks last year. He was suspected of robbing three other banks in 2005 and 2006, but prosecutors agreed not to pursue the others as part of a plea agreement.
As part of the deal, Cantu admitted to two counts of armed robbery and using a firearm during a crime of violence. The FBI called him the "Polite Bandit" because he apologized to his victims.
Prosecutors said Cantu told one weeping bank teller that he was sorry but needed to take $10,000 for his son. They said Cantu robbed the La Habra banks because he lost his job at FedEx and was having financial problems.
His attorney Darryl Exum says Cantu developed a drinking problem after he was forced to retire from the Pasadena Police Department. He served eight years with the Pasadena Police Department and retired in 1996.
Cantu could have faced life in prison, but as part of his plea agreement prosecutors agreed not to pursue the other alleged robberies.
