Robbery suspect arrested

An Arroyo Grande man suspected of robbing a Newport Beach bank has been linked to a robbery north of Santa Barbara, FBI officials said Friday.

Bradley O’Loughlin, 50, was arrested on the 405 Freeway Feb. 5 after police said a witness identified his vehicle as the getaway car in a Newport Beach bank robbery earlier in the day.

Authorities said O’Loughlin walked into the Newport Beach Bank of America, 1016 Irvine Ave., wearing pantyhose over his head, a hat, sunglasses and carrying a black duffel bag.

FBI officials said he threatened customers and bank employees, and police said he threatened the teller with explosives. Officials in Santa Maria, about 70 miles north of Santa Barbara, suspect O’Loughlin robbed their bank on Jan. 3, said FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller. They said last week’s robber had the same modus operandi as theirs, Eimiller said.

O’Loughlin was arrested shortly after last week’s heist soon after he posted bail and was released. But once Santa Maria officials linked him to their bank robbery, he was re-arrested, Eimiller said. He was slapped with federal charges Friday and is due in court Tuesday, she said.

Police found money and pantyhose in O’Loughlin’s car when he was arrested last week, Sgt. Evan Sailor said.

Reporter JOSEPH SERNA may be reached at (714) 966-4619 or at [email protected].