Alleged 'Drifter Bandit' Makes 1st Court Appearance
SANTA ANA (CBS) — Michael David Marano, the man suspected of being the Drifter Bandit, made his first appearance in court Tuesday.
Marano, 45, of Santa Ana, is believed to have committed four bank robberies since May.
He was charged with four felony counts of second-degree robbery and second-degree commercial burglary with sentencing enhancements for eight prior strike convictions for five 1988 robberies, a robbery this year and two 1988 assaults with a firearm, according to the Orange County District Attorney's Office.
Marano's arraignment today was rescheduled for July 29. His bail was set at $1 million for the bank robberies and another $30,000 for other relatively minor charges.
Marano is accused of taking more than $30,000 in the four bank heists.
Marano is accused of robbing a Chase bank branch at 31972 Camino Capistrano in San Juan Capistrano on May 3; a US Bank branch at 33621 Del Obispo in Dana Point on May 26; a Farmers & Merchants Bank branch at 31873 Del Obispo in San Juan Capistrano last Tuesday; and a Citibank branch at 30311 Golden Lantern in Laguna Niguel Wednesday.
Marano faces up to 110 years to life in prison if he is convicted.
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