Arrest Made in Bank Robbery at Santa Barbara’s Mesa Shopping Center

LATEST UPDATE

The Santa Barbara Police Department identified the suspect in the Union Bank robbery on March 28, as 18-year-old Santa Barbara resident Holden Matthew Weddington.

Police say the suspect entered the bank located at 1960 Cliff Drive in Santa Barbara, and handed a note to the teller indicating the suspect had a weapon. Less than $1,000 in cash were taken from the bank according to authorities.

During the investigation, a Union Bank employee recognized Weddington from a previous visit to the bank.

Police were able to match Weddington’s DMV photo with bank surveillance photos which led to a $50,000 warrant for his arrest in connection with the bank robbery.

Authorities searched Weddington’s Mesa area home but were unable to locate him. It wasn’t until Weddington showed up at a relative’s home that he was taken to Santa Barbara County Jail by a family member where he surrendered to deputies.

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ORIGINAL POST

The search is on for a man accused of robbing a Santa Barbara Union Bank.

The suspect went inside the branch located on the 1900 block of Cliff Drive around noon Monday.

He showed the teller a note demanding money threatening the use of a weapon. But, he never pulled out a gun.

Santa Barbara police spokesperson said “he subsequently stole a quantity of cash less than $1000.”

The suspect is described as Hispanic, in his 20’s, thin build wearing a dark colored hoodie and baseball cap. Officials said no one was hurt.

Bank authorities said the branch is closed for the rest of the day.