SOLEDAD — A 59-year-old Soledad man was arrested Wednesday morning after allegedly robbing a Mechanics Bank branch and attempting to flee north on Highway 101, according to Soledad Police Department.
In a news release, Soledad Police said officers were dispatched around 9:22 a.m. after a silent alarm was activated at the bank. When officers arrived, they confirmed that a robbery had taken place.
“Through swift investigation, officers obtained surveillance footage identifying the suspect vehicle,” the department said.
Police quickly shared the vehicle description with neighboring agencies as part of a coordinated search effort.
Shortly afterward, officers were alerted by License Plate Reader (LPR) cameras that the suspect’s vehicle was leaving Soledad heading north on Highway 101. Police conducted a traffic stop near Gloria Road, where the suspect was “safely taken into custody without incident,” according to the release.
Authorities credited the “joint efforts” of Soledad Police and allied agencies for the quick arrest. The suspect, whose name was not released, was booked on charges of armed robbery and other related offenses.
No injuries were reported, and the investigation remains ongoing.
