Eric Walter Grey had been out of jail for simply at some point when he allegedly dedicated against the law that might land him proper again in custody.
Federal authorities say the 53-year-old took three workers hostage whereas robbing an Anaheim financial institution final month. After he was arrested, they are saying, he wrote the financial institution staff an apology notice.
On Wednesday, Grey, who has a prolonged prison historical past, was charged in a federal indictment with financial institution theft and compelled accompaniment, in keeping with the U.S. legal professional’s workplace for the Central District of California.
“Sooner or later after his launch from jail, this defendant allegedly selected to return to crime,” U.S. Atty. Martin Estrada stated in a information launch. “My workplace will proceed its efforts to prosecute and punish violent recidivist criminals who hurt our neighborhood.”
Grey’s federal public defender didn’t reply to a request for remark.
Since 1993, Grey has been out and in of jail for numerous crimes, together with narcotics-related offenses, theft, petty theft and housebreaking, in keeping with the California Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Authorities say his previous crimes additionally embrace sexual battery and grand theft auto.
Surveillance digital camera picture reveals a person recognized as Walter Grey hopping over a counter whereas allegedly robbing a financial institution in Anaheim on Might 8.
(U.S. legal professional’s workplace)
Most lately, whereas on parole in 2023, Grey was sentenced to 2 years in jail for failure to register as a intercourse offender and two years for second-degree theft, to be served concurrently, in keeping with the CDCR. He obtained 406 days of presentence credit score for time served whereas awaiting sentencing, and he was eligible for credit-earning alternatives whereas incarcerated, the company acknowledged.
Grey, an Orange County resident, was launched from San Quentin on Might 7.
The subsequent day, Grey allegedly went right into a BMO financial institution in Anaheim, the place he loitered for about an hour earlier than leaping over the teller counter, telling an worker he had a gun and demanding cash, FBI Particular Agent Trevor Twitchell stated in an affidavit in assist of a prison criticism filed within the case.
After taking greater than $1,600 from the teller drawers, Twitchell wrote, Grey directed the financial institution supervisor and two different workers right into a storage room. He finally let two of the staff out, however he held the financial institution supervisor hostage for about an hour, in keeping with the affidavit.
No less than one financial institution worker notified regulation enforcement throughout the theft. Finally, Grey left the storage room with the financial institution supervisor, and Anaheim police arrested him.
In an interview on the Anaheim Police Division, Twitchell wrote, Grey instructed a detective that the night time of his launch from San Quentin he’d smoked crystal meth, which made him extraordinarily anxious and paranoid. Round 12:30 a.m., Grey stated he referred to as 911 and was taken to a hospital the place he remained till they “kicked him out” at about 10:30 a.m., in keeping with the affidavit.
He stated he then took a bus from the hospital and obtained off close to the BMO financial institution, the place he tried to see if he may get money utilizing a debit card, the affidavit says. Grey additionally instructed the detective that, whereas on the financial institution, he’d taken extra medicine, Twitchell wrote, after which “out of nowhere” jumped the counter.
Grey wrote an apology letter to the folks of the financial institution; the notice was booked into proof, Twitchell wrote. The letter acknowledged, “To these at BMO financial institution, I’m sending you my deepest apology. What I put you thru.”
After the interview, a further search revealed that Grey had hidden narcotics and $240 in money in a physique cavity, and he was taken to a hospital to be scanned for different contraband, Twitchell wrote within the affidavit. Whereas there, Grey allegedly repeatedly tried to flee and in addition fought with cops, leading to a number of accidents to the officers, in keeping with the affidavit.
Twitchell wrote that the “solely factor that stopped the combat was an open palm strike” to Grey’s face. Grey was later sedated and scanned. No different objects had been discovered.
“I’m extremely pleased with the professionalism, restraint, and compassion of our Officers as they risked their lives to deliver this risky incident to a secure decision,” Anaheim Police Chief Rick P. Armendariz stated in a press release.
Grey has been in federal custody with out bond since June 5. If convicted, he would face a compulsory minimal sentence of 10 years and a most of 20 years in federal jail.
The Orange County district legal professional’s workplace charged Grey in reference to the crime however dismissed its case so the federal case in opposition to him may proceed.
Grey’s is scheduled to be arraigned June 24.
