Alleged Bank Robber's Bail Reduction Request Denied

MURRIETA - An alleged bank robber lost a bid today to have his $2 million bail reduced.

Donn Patrick Thompson, 44, of Riverside was arrested Friday after he was identified as the suspect in hold-ups in Murrieta and Temecula.

Thompson appeared with his public defender before Riverside County Superior Court Judge Judith Clark at a bail-setting conference at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta. The defendant's request for a reduction in his seven-figure bail was denied, in part because of his prior felony convictions.

Clark scheduled a felony settlement conference for Jan. 8. Thompson, who remains in custody at the Southwest Detention Center, is charged with three counts of robbery.

In Murrieta, Thompson allegedly robbed the Pacific Western Bank on Kalmia Street on Dec. 9 and a Chase bank branch on California Oaks Road on Dec. 11. The defendant is also accused of robbing a Citibank branch on Ynez Road in Temecula on Dec. 13.

In each instance, the robber handed a note to a teller demanding cash and walked out after receiving the money, according to Murrieta police Lt. Tony Conrad, who said no one was injured during the robberies.

The bandit wore a beanie, sunglasses, a sweatshirt and sweat pants, Conrad said.

According to court records, Thompson has prior felony convictions for burglary, passing fraudulent checks and illegal possession of a firearm. He served time in prison for each offense. '

Alleged Bank Robber to Seek Bail Reduction

MURRIETA - An ex-con accused of robbing three banks over a four-day span will ask a judge today to reduce his $2 million bail.

Donn Patrick Thompson, 44, of Riverside was arrested Friday after he was identified as the alleged robber in hold-ups in Murrieta and Temecula.

Thompson, who's being held at the Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta, is charged with three counts of robbery. He was arraigned Tuesday before Riverside County Superior Court Judge Judith Clark, who set his seven-

figure bail.

Deputy Public Defender Colleen Lawler will request that the amount be lowered to a level that might permit the defendant to post bond.

According to Murrieta police, Thompson robbed the Pacific Western Bank on Kalmia Street Dec. 9, and a Chase bank branch on California Oaks Road Dec. 11. The defendant is also accused of robbing a Citibank branch on Ynez Road in Temecula Dec. 13, police said.

In each instance, the robber handed a note to a teller demanding cash and walked out after receiving the money, said Murrieta police Lt. Tony Conrad, adding that no one was injured during the robberies.

The bandit wore a beanie, sunglasses, a sweatshirt and sweat pants, Conrad said.

According to court records, Thompson has prior felony convictions for burglary, passing fraudulent checks and illegal possession of a firearm.

Ex-Con Charged with Robbing Murrieta, Temecula Banks

MURRIETA - An ex-con accused of robbing three banks over a four- day span will ask a judge tomorrow to reduce his $2 million bail.

Donn Patrick Thompson, 44, of Riverside, was arrested Friday after he was identified as the alleged robber in hold-ups in Murrieta and Temecula.

Thompson, who's being held at the Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta, is charged with three counts of robbery. He was arraigned Tuesday before Riverside County Superior Court Judge Judith Clark, who set his bail at $2 million.

Deputy Public Defender Colleen Lawler will request that the amount be lowered to a level that might permit the defendant to post bond.

According to Murrieta police, Thompson allegedly robbed the Pacific Western Bank on Kalmia Street Dec. 9, and a Chase bank branch on California Oaks Road Dec. 11. The defendant is also accused of robbing a Citibank branch on Ynez Road in Temecula Dec. 13, police said.

In each instance, the robber handed a note to a teller demanding cash and walked out after receiving the money, according to Murrieta police Lt. Tony Conrad, adding that no one was injured during the robberies.

The bandit wore a beanie, sunglasses, a sweatshirt and sweat pants, Conrad said.

According to court records, Thompson has prior felony convictions for burglary, passing fraudulent checks and illegal possession of a firearm.