March 29, 2024
Bank burglars prison-bound
LOS ANGELES – (INT) – The leader of a crew of bank burglars is headed to prison.

Alceu Johnny Andreis, 48, of Banning was linked to a 10-year-long series of heists targeting Southland banks by cutting through rooftops. Andreis was convicted of two burglaries that occurred at banks in Rowland Heights and Diamond Bar.

A federal judge sentenced Andreis to 20 years in federal prison and was ordered to pay $12,082,403 in restitution to two financial institutions, their insurance carriers and numerous safe deposit box customers.

Three other defendants pleaded guilty. Two have been sentenced, receiving prison terms of up to 10 years. Another defendant is awaiting sentencing.

The evidence presented at Andreis’ trial showed that he led a crew of rooftop bank burglars for at least a decade. Andreis and his crew burglarized the banks after detailed and thorough planning, which included “casing” the banks, learning about the bank’s security systems, and conducting numerous “dry runs” of the heists. Prior to the actual burglaries, they cut holes in the roofs of the banks and resealed them so as not to arouse suspicion.
Story Date: April 1, 2017
Real-Time Traffic
NBC
AQMD AQI
Habitat for Humanity
United Way of the Inland Valleys
Pink Ribbon Thrift