Armed Bank Robbery

Riverside, Ca-  On Tuesday May 25, 2004 at about 2:36 PM Riverside Police officers were dispatched to Provident Savings located at 19348 Van Buren for an armed bank robbery just occurred.

A lone male suspect entered the business, simulated a handgun and demanded money. After obtaining money, the suspect exited the bank and jumped into a Saturn waiting outside. The car fled at a high rate of speed, driven by another male accomplice.

Two witnesses pulling into the parking lot saw the fleeing vehicle and subsequently followed as it ran red lights, northbound on Trautwein. When it became too dangerous to continue, the witnesses backed off and returned to the bank. The citizens relayed the information to officers who had arrived on scene and it was broadcast to all surrounding agencies.

Two Riverside County District Attorney investigators monitored the broadcast and spotted the suspect vehicle, southbound on the 215 freeway. The investigators followed the car as it exited Ethanac Rd. in Romoland. The investigators activated the emergency equipment in their unmarked unit and stopped the suspects on Sherman Rd. Riverside Sheriff’s deputies assisted the investigators and the suspects were detained.

Riverside Police personnel responded to Romoland and relieved the assisting agencies. An in-field line-up was conducted and witnesses positively identified the suspects and vehicle. Money and numerous items of evidence were recovered at the scene of the traffic stop.

Investigators from the FBI and Riverside Police Department were summoned and processed both scenes. The suspects and their Saturn were transported and further investigation is pending.

The suspects were identified as Ralph Fourzan, 33 years old from Temecula and Joseph Mancini, 32 years old from Hemet.

Anyone with information related to this investigation is urged to contact Detective Ron Kipp at 909-320-8052 or Detective Pat Young at 909-320-8006.