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Sheriff's Detectives Say Fresno Man Robbed Same Bank 3 Times
Bill McEwen updated website photo 2024
By Bill McEwen, News Director
Published 5 years ago on
July 22, 2020

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If sheriff’s detectives are right, Ignacio Lopez went to the well once too often in Easton.

Lopez, 36, of Fresno was arrested Tuesday for allegedly robbing the WestAmerica Bank, 5571 S. Elm Avenue in Easton, at gunpoint on July 9.

Following Lopez’s arrest, detectives noticed striking similarities between him and the man suspected of robbing the same bank last year and in 2015, Fresno County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Tony Botti said.

Upon further review, the detectives determined that, in their view, Lopez was responsible for all three bank robberies.

Image of man wearing a cap who robbed the WestAmerica Bank in Easton, California, in 2014
This photo is of the man who robbed the Easton bank in 2015. Detectives say it is Ignacio Lopez. He is charged with robbing the same WestAmerica bank three times. (Fresno County Sheriff’s Office)

Detectives Found Loaded Handgun in Car

Lopez was arrested after a vehicle stop in the vicinity of Kings Canyon Road and Clovis Avenue. While searching the car, deputies found a loaded handgun matching the description of the one used in the most recent bank robbery, Botti said.

Lopez was booked into jail on 18 felony charges. His bail was set at $710,000.

Do You Have a Tip on the Bank Robberies?

The sheriff’s office is asking the public’s help in identifying people who may have assisted Lopez in the bank robberies. Anyone with information can call detective Patrick Beggs, (559) 600-8390, or Valley Crime Stoppers, (559) 498-7867.

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Bill McEwen,
News Director
Bill McEwen is news director and columnist for GV Wire. He joined GV Wire in August 2017 after 37 years at The Fresno Bee. With The Bee, he served as Opinion Editor, City Hall reporter, Metro columnist, sports columnist and sports editor through the years. His work has been frequently honored by the California Newspapers Publishers Association, including authoring first-place editorials in 2015 and 2016. Bill and his wife, Karen, are proud parents of two adult sons, and they have two grandsons. You can contact Bill at 559-492-4031 or at Send an Email

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