Citizen Staff

Two men, working separately, robbed four branches, Tucson police say.

By IRENE HSIAO

ihsiao@tucsoncitizen.com

Tucson police are asking for the public’s help to find two bank robbery suspects.

A man robbed the Wells Fargo branch at 555 N. Wilmot Road at 9:34 a.m. Wednesday by handing a teller a note demanding money, said Officer Kathy Wendling, a police spokeswoman.

The man fled with an undisclosed amount of money in a blue or gray 1982 to 1986 Chevrolet Celebrity or similar car with a bad paint job and low-profile tires, she said.

Witnesses described him as in his 20s, 6 feet 2 inches tall and 180 pounds, Wendling said. He was wearing a long-sleeve, striped blue shirt, blue pants and a black baseball cap with a sports team logo on it, she said.

No weapon was seen or implied, Wendling said.

Police believe another man is responsible for three bank robberies, the most recent at 12:48 p.m. Wednesday at Bank One, 728 W. Ajo Way, she said.

The other two robberies were at Bank of America on Friday at 9:49 a.m. at 4201 N. Oracle Road and July 22 at the Bank of America branch at 1601 W. Valencia Road, Wendling said.

In each robbery, the man handed a teller a note demanding money and implying he had a weapon, Wendling said. Witnesses described him as in his 20s, 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 8 inches tall, 130 to 160 pounds, with tattoos on both arms.

Weapons were not seen in any of the robberies, she said.

Anyone with information about the robberies is asked to call 911 or 88-CRIME.

PHOTO CAPTIONS: Provided photos

This man is being sought by police in up to three Tucson-area bank robberies in recent days, officers say. Nobody was injured in the heists.

This man is believed to have robbed the Wells Fargo branch at 555 N. Wilmot Road on Wednesday by handing a teller a note demanding money, police say.

Citizen Staff

By IRENE HSIAO

ihsiao@tucsoncitizen.com

Police closed a section of South Park Avenue and cordoned off a South Side neighborhood for more than an hour yesterday after they found a car matching the description of one connected to a bank robbery, police said.

A witness gave license plate information to police, who traced the blue Kia sedan to the 1000 block of East 27th Street near South Park, said Sgt. Marco Borboa, a police spokesman.

Some of the people in the house were questioned and released at the scene. Another man, detained longer but released yesterday evening, is considered a lead in the case, Borboa said.

No one was arrested, he said.

The bank robbery was at 1:05 p.m. yesterday at Compass Bank, 7880 E. Broadway, Borboa said.

PHOTO CAPTIONS: Photos by FRANCISCO MEDINA/Tucson Citizen

Tucson police yesterday watch a home near East 27th Street and South Park Avenue where they believed a bank robber was holed up.

This man, whom police declined to identify, was questioned about a bank robbery yesterday afternoon. No one was arrested.

Citizen Staff

New Wells Fargo to celebrate

Wells Fargo, which opened its newest Oro Valley bank branch at 550 E. Tangerine Road this month, will celebrate its grand opening Friday. It is the third Wells Fargo office in Oro Valley.

Wells Fargo will present donations totaling $12,500 to Friends of the Oro Valley Library and the Greater Oro Valley Arts Council, which will provide musical entertainment at the event.

REAL ESTATE

Pepper-Viner offers new homes

Red Adobe Pass and Dos Hombres, two new home communities, have been opened by Pepper-Viner Homes.

The developments are just off Tanque Verde Road between Sabino Canyon and Pantano roads.

Both communities offer homes from 1,530 to 2,722 square feet. A total of 60 home sites are available. For more information, call 241-3289.

ON THE MOVE

Chad Kolodisner. Diamond Ventures has announced that Kolodisner has joined the company as vice president. Kolodisner has more than 10 years of experience in corporate counsel and operational management. He graduated cum laude with a law degree from Harvard Law School and has a bachelor’s degree in finance from Arizona State University.

Submissions for this section may be sent to David Pittman at dpittman@ tucsoncitizen.com or faxed to 573-4569.

Citizen Staff

New Wells Fargo to celebrate

Wells Fargo, which opened its newest Oro Valley bank branch at 550 E. Tangerine Road this month, will celebrate its grand opening Friday. It is the third Wells Fargo office in Oro Valley.

Wells Fargo will present donations totaling $12,500 to Friends of the Oro Valley Library and the Greater Oro Valley Arts Council, which will provide musical entertainment at the event.

REAL ESTATE

Pepper-Viner offers new homes

Red Adobe Pass and Dos Hombres, two new home communities, have been opened by Pepper-Viner Homes.

The developments are just off Tanque Verde Road between Sabino Canyon and Pantano roads.

Both communities offer homes from 1,530 to 2,722 square feet. A total of 60 home sites are available. For more information, call 241-3289.

ON THE MOVE

Chad Kolodisner. Diamond Ventures has announced that Kolodisner has joined the company as vice president. Kolodisner has more than 10 years of experience in corporate counsel and operational management. He graduated cum laude with a law degree from Harvard Law School and has a bachelor’s degree in finance from Arizona State University.

Submissions for this section may be sent to David Pittman at dpittman@ tucsoncitizen.com or faxed to 573-4569.

Citizen Staff Report

Border Patrol rescues 30 illegal migrants near Bisbee

Citizen Staff Report

news@tucsoncitizen.com

Border Patrol agents rescued 30 illegal immigrants near Bisbee after Cochise County deputies alerted them to information that a group was lost in the desert and in distress, the agency said.

According to the Border Patrol:

An agency helicopter responded and agents on the ground tracked footprints. At about 1:15 p.m. the helicopter found the group in the Mule Mountains near Bisbee. Agents on the ground helped 29 migrants reach medics. Rugged terrain kept the Border Patrol from landing to transport the last person, but a rescue-equipped Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopter was able to take the person to Copper Queen Community Hospital in Bisbee.

All 30 were suffering from dehydration and heat exhaustion. Twenty-nine were treated at the scene by Cochise County sheriff’s rescue deputies and Bisbee firefighters.

Tucson sector Border Patrol agents have rescued 439 people in distress since Oct. 1, the agency said.

Man sought in bank robbery

Citizen Staff Report

news@tucsoncitizen.com

Police are asking for the public’s help in finding a man charged with robbing a West Side bank last week.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Tucsonan Richard Ortega Elenes Jr., 29, police said in a news release. Elenes robbed a Wells Fargo branch at 1370 N. Silverbell Road by passing a note to a teller, the release said. No weapon was seen or implied, police said last week.

Elenes, who is described as 5 feet 8 inches tall, 190 pounds with black hair and brown eyes, was seen leaving in a small dark car, police said.

Anyone with information about the robbery or Elenes is asked to call 911 or 88-CRIME, the county attorney’s anonymous tip line.

Citizen Staff

Police search for two suspects in bank heists

By IRENE HSIAO

ihsiao@tucsoncitizen.com

Tucson police are asking for help to find two bank robbers.

Yesterday at about 11:20 a.m., a man handed a note demanding money to a teller at Wells Fargo, 1370 N. Silverbell Road, said Officer Kathy Wendling, a Tucson police spokeswoman.

Police believe the man is 23 years old, 5 feet 3 inches tall and 150 pounds. He has dark hair, a dark complexion, a goatee and a tattoo on his right arm, Wendling said.

He was last seen wearing a light blue sleeveless shirt over a white shirt and matching light blue shorts.

The man fled in a small, dark-colored passenger car, and no weapon was seen or implied, she said.

On Wednesday at about 1:50 p.m., a different man handed a teller a note at Wells Fargo, 145 E. 22nd St., implying he had a weapon and demanding money, she said.

That suspect is 5 feet 3 inches to 5 feet 5 inches tall, has a thin or medium build and a mustache and is possibly in his early 20s. He was wearing a black shirt and a green-and-yellow Sidewinders baseball cap, Wendling said.

Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or 88-CRIME.

Radio show, TMC raise $220K

By ANNE T. DENOGEAN

adenogea@tucsoncitizen.com

A recent four-day radiothon raised nearly $220,000 to benefit Tucson Medical Center.

Broadcast from outside TMC’s Children’s Emergency Center, the KRQ 93.7 FM Johnjay and Rich program benefited TMC children’s services.

Donations and pledges during the June 24-27 radiothon totaled $219,673.

“We can’t thank Johnjay (Van Es) and Rich (Berra) enough for their incredible generosity,” Michael Duran, chief development officer of the TMC Foundation, said in a written statement.

“With the support of these big-hearted guys – plus, of course, their loyal listeners – we will be able to enhance our top-quality services and programs for the children of southern Arizona.”

PHOTO MUG CAPTIONS: Provided photos

Surveillance photos of two suspects

Citizen Staff

Police search for two suspects in bank heists

By IRENE HSIAO

ihsiao@tucsoncitizen.com

Tucson police are asking for help to find two bank robbers.

Yesterday at about 11:20 a.m., a man handed a note demanding money to a teller at Wells Fargo, 1370 N. Silverbell Road, said Officer Kathy Wendling, a Tucson police spokeswoman.

Police believe the man is 23 years old, 5 feet 3 inches tall and 150 pounds. He has dark hair, a dark complexion, a goatee and a tattoo on his right arm, Wendling said.

He was last seen wearing a light blue sleeveless shirt over a white shirt and matching light blue shorts.

The man fled in a small, dark-colored passenger car, and no weapon was seen or implied, she said.

On Wednesday at about 1:50 p.m., a different man handed a teller a note at Wells Fargo, 145 E. 22nd St., implying he had a weapon and demanding money, she said.

That suspect is 5 feet 3 inches to 5 feet 5 inches tall, has a thin or medium build and a mustache and is possibly in his early 20s. He was wearing a black shirt and a green-and-yellow Sidewinders baseball cap, Wendling said.

Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or 88-CRIME.

Radio show, TMC raise $220K

By ANNE T. DENOGEAN

adenogea@tucsoncitizen.com

A recent four-day radiothon raised nearly $220,000 to benefit Tucson Medical Center.

Broadcast from outside TMC’s Children’s Emergency Center, the KRQ 93.7 FM Johnjay and Rich program benefited TMC children’s services.

Donations and pledges during the June 24-27 radiothon totaled $219,673.

“We can’t thank Johnjay (Van Es) and Rich (Berra) enough for their incredible generosity,” Michael Duran, chief development officer of the TMC Foundation, said in a written statement.

“With the support of these big-hearted guys – plus, of course, their loyal listeners – we will be able to enhance our top-quality services and programs for the children of southern Arizona.”

PHOTO MUG CAPTIONS: Provided photos

Surveillance photos of two suspects

Citizen Staff

Police seek bicycling bank robber

By IRENE HSIAO

ihsiao@tucsoncitizen.com

Tucson police are asking for the public’s help in finding a bank robber who fled on a bicycle.

The robbery occurred Tuesday 4:13 p.m. at Wells Fargo Bank, 1260 W. Prince Road.

A man handed a note to a teller, demanding money, said Officer Kathy Wendling, a police spokeswoman.

He fled on a bicycle that has handlebars that don’t curl down, she said.

Witnesses described him as 35 to 45 years old, 6 feet tall and 180 pounds, with dark graying hair.

He wore a long-sleeved blue shirt and jeans, Wendling said.

No weapon was seen or implied, she said.

Anyone with information is asked to dial 88-CRIME or 911.

PHOTO CREDIT: Bank photo

CUTLINE: This image taken by a security camera shows the robber, police say.

Citizen Staff

Police seek bicycling bank robber

By IRENE HSIAO

ihsiao@tucsoncitizen.com

Tucson police are asking for the public’s help in finding a bank robber who fled on a bicycle.

The robbery occurred Tuesday 4:13 p.m. at Wells Fargo Bank, 1260 W. Prince Road.

A man handed a note to a teller, demanding money, said Officer Kathy Wendling, a police spokeswoman.

He fled on a bicycle that has handlebars that don’t curl down, she said.

Witnesses described him as 35 to 45 years old, 6 feet tall and 180 pounds, with dark graying hair.

He wore a long-sleeved blue shirt and jeans, Wendling said.

No weapon was seen or implied, she said.

Anyone with information is asked to dial 88-CRIME or 911.

PHOTO CREDIT: Bank photo

CUTLINE: This image taken by a security camera shows the robber, police say.

The Associated Press

The Associated Press

PHOENIX – Articles of incorporation were filed for what would be one of the first banks in Arizona to specifically target the Hispanic small-business market.

The Sonoran Bank hopes to open in Phoenix next spring.

It would focus on lending amounts of $50,000 to $300,000 or perhaps a half-million dollars, a need not being met by large banks, said Ernest Garfield, owner of Interstate Bank Developers and who is guiding the board in creating the new lending.

Although the bank wouldn’t turn away consumer accounts, it would not actively pursue them.

Applications for approval are expected to be filed with the state Banking Department and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. this fall, after which investors can buy stock, Garfield said.

Garfield said the bank’s assets would come from investors. Plans are to have $135 million to $150 million in assets within four or five years.

Democratic state Rep. John Loredo of Phoenix said there’s a need to invest in the booming Hispanic-owned businesses in the Phoenix area.

“And when these small businesses gain the ability to invest in their business, they do very well,” Loredo said.

Business owner Carlos Yado said he applied for loans with major banks when he was trying to start his business.

“We were trying to get loans from $20,000 to $40,000, but they want that amount in collateral,” he said. “If I had that, why would I need a loan?”

Yado said he looks forward to a bank geared toward Hispanics who are small-business owners.

“If there is a bank out there that wants to help out minorities, I’d be the first to check it out,” he said.

Rachel Gomez said she and her husband struggled to get funding needed to start their Mexican restaurant in El Mirage.

“We really need a bank that will really help Hispanics get started,” she said. “I know so many people who would love to be in business if they could just get a small loan.”

The Associated Press

The Associated Press

PHOENIX – Articles of incorporation were filed for what would be one of the first banks in Arizona to specifically target the Hispanic small-business market.

The Sonoran Bank hopes to open in Phoenix next spring.

It would focus on lending amounts of $50,000 to $300,000 or perhaps a half-million dollars, a need not being met by large banks, said Ernest Garfield, owner of Interstate Bank Developers and who is guiding the board in creating the new lending.

Although the bank wouldn’t turn away consumer accounts, it would not actively pursue them.

Applications for approval are expected to be filed with the state Banking Department and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. this fall, after which investors can buy stock, Garfield said.

Garfield said the bank’s assets would come from investors. Plans are to have $135 million to $150 million in assets within four or five years.

Democratic state Rep. John Loredo of Phoenix said there’s a need to invest in the booming Hispanic-owned businesses in the Phoenix area.

“And when these small businesses gain the ability to invest in their business, they do very well,” Loredo said.

Business owner Carlos Yado said he applied for loans with major banks when he was trying to start his business.

“We were trying to get loans from $20,000 to $40,000, but they want that amount in collateral,” he said. “If I had that, why would I need a loan?”

Yado said he looks forward to a bank geared toward Hispanics who are small-business owners.

“If there is a bank out there that wants to help out minorities, I’d be the first to check it out,” he said.

Rachel Gomez said she and her husband struggled to get funding needed to start their Mexican restaurant in El Mirage.

“We really need a bank that will really help Hispanics get started,” she said. “I know so many people who would love to be in business if they could just get a small loan.”

Citizen Staff

It wrongly threatened clients that they would be prosecuted by the County Attorney’s Office.

By DAVID PITTMAN

dpittman@tucsoncitizen.com

Check Agencies of Arizona, which operates five payday loan and check-cashing offices in Tucson, has agreed to forgive the debts of some of its customers and pay $20,000 in legal fees to the Arizona Attorney General’s Office.

According to the attorney general’s investigation, the company, which does business as Check Center, “falsely and deceptively” told customers who had not repaid loans on time that they would be reported to the Pima County Attorney’s Office and were subject to prosecution.

Some customers were also told in letters and phone calls that they could go to jail or be liable for thousands of dollars in fines and attorney fees if they didn’t repay loans.

However, the same statute that allows payday loan companies to operate in Arizona also stipulates that they cannot participate in bad check programs offered by county prosecutors.

“The company threatened people to get their money back,” said Noreen Matts of the Attorney General’s Office in Tucson.

“They told people they would be prosecuted by the County Attorney’s Office, and they had no right to do that. It was completely false.”

Matts said payday loan companies may seek to have debts paid by taking cases to small-claims court, but that law enforcement will not act as collection agencies for such businesses.

She said at least 25 people wrongly received letters or phone calls threatening county legal action.

She said Check Center has agreed to forgive the debts of those customers.

“The company also has to send letters to other customers who haven’t paid back a loan,” said Matts. “If those customers received the same kind of letter or phone call, they, too, will get full restitution.”

The Check Center violations occurred last year.

Lee Miller, a Phoenix lawyer representing Check Center, conceded that company staff members mistakenly told some customers that Check Center was affiliated with the county’s bad check program and that they were subject to prosecution for nonpayment.

“Regrettably, Check Center had on its staff a year ago some collectors that did not know they were specifically prohibited from taking advantage of the county attorney bad check program in the payday loan program,” he said.

The company cooperated fully with the attorney general’s inquiry, he said.

Citizen Staff

It wrongly threatened clients that they would be prosecuted by the County Attorney’s Office.

By DAVID PITTMAN

dpittman@tucsoncitizen.com

Check Agencies of Arizona, which operates five payday loan and check-cashing offices in Tucson, has agreed to forgive the debts of some of its customers and pay $20,000 in legal fees to the Arizona Attorney General’s Office.

According to the attorney general’s investigation, the company, which does business as Check Center, “falsely and deceptively” told customers who had not repaid loans on time that they would be reported to the Pima County Attorney’s Office and were subject to prosecution.

Some customers were also told in letters and phone calls that they could go to jail or be liable for thousands of dollars in fines and attorney fees if they didn’t repay loans.

However, the same statute that allows payday loan companies to operate in Arizona also stipulates that they cannot participate in bad check programs offered by county prosecutors.

“The company threatened people to get their money back,” said Noreen Matts of the Attorney General’s Office in Tucson.

“They told people they would be prosecuted by the County Attorney’s Office, and they had no right to do that. It was completely false.”

Matts said payday loan companies may seek to have debts paid by taking cases to small-claims court, but that law enforcement will not act as collection agencies for such businesses.

She said at least 25 people wrongly received letters or phone calls threatening county legal action.

She said Check Center has agreed to forgive the debts of those customers.

“The company also has to send letters to other customers who haven’t paid back a loan,” said Matts. “If those customers received the same kind of letter or phone call, they, too, will get full restitution.”

The Check Center violations occurred last year.

Lee Miller, a Phoenix lawyer representing Check Center, conceded that company staff members mistakenly told some customers that Check Center was affiliated with the county’s bad check program and that they were subject to prosecution for nonpayment.

“Regrettably, Check Center had on its staff a year ago some collectors that did not know they were specifically prohibited from taking advantage of the county attorney bad check program in the payday loan program,” he said.

The company cooperated fully with the attorney general’s inquiry, he said.

Citizen Staff

2 held in SE Side bank robbery caught

By DAVID L. TEIBEL

dteibel@tucsoncitizen

Two men suspected in a bank holdup were in the Pima County Jail yesterday morning after police arrested them Tuesday about 30 minutes after a Southeast Side robbery, police said yesterday.

Tucson police Detective Sgt. James Stoutmeyer gave this account:

A man at Bank One, 6161 E. 22nd St., handed a teller a note demanding cash about 3:20 p.m. Tuesday. No weapon was implied.

The man was given an undisclosed amount and left in a car driven by another man. Officers arrested two men after a police helicopter crew spotted the robbers’ car at South Cardinal Avenue and West Holladay Street.

Charles Guy Green, 46, who gave a general delivery address, is being held on $25,200 bail on robbery charges and on an earlier warrant, the jail said.

Ison Douglas Prescott III, 31, of the 6900 block of West Tumbling T Street, is being held on $7,500 bail on robbery and marijuana charges, the jail said.

Stoutmeyer said Green is suspected of going into the bank and Prescott is suspected of being the driver.

Trial set in teen’s beating death

By A.J. FLICK

ajflick@tucsoncitizen.com

A 41-year-old Tucson man will go on trial this fall in the beating death of a teenager.

Judge John E. Davis of Pima County Superior Court set a Nov. 30 trial for Philip Charles Duran, who is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Barclay “Clay” Fincher, 17, on Aug. 5, 2000.

Duran also is charged with endangerment and fleeing from police. He is being held in the Pima County Jail on a $1 million bond.

Fincher died outside his home on West Bopp Road, near West Ajo Highway and South San Joaquin Road. Neighbors had heard moaning from Fincher’s trailer and called 911.

Fincher’s family described him as a bull-riding, motorcycle-racing ladies’ man with a cheery smile that delighted everyone.

His family said he intended to join the U.S. Marine Corps when he turned 18, as his father did. Fincher would have turned 18 a week after his death.

Citizen Staff

2 held in SE Side bank robbery caught

By DAVID L. TEIBEL

dteibel@tucsoncitizen

Two men suspected in a bank holdup were in the Pima County Jail yesterday morning after police arrested them Tuesday about 30 minutes after a Southeast Side robbery, police said yesterday.

Tucson police Detective Sgt. James Stoutmeyer gave this account:

A man at Bank One, 6161 E. 22nd St., handed a teller a note demanding cash about 3:20 p.m. Tuesday. No weapon was implied.

The man was given an undisclosed amount and left in a car driven by another man. Officers arrested two men after a police helicopter crew spotted the robbers’ car at South Cardinal Avenue and West Holladay Street.

Charles Guy Green, 46, who gave a general delivery address, is being held on $25,200 bail on robbery charges and on an earlier warrant, the jail said.

Ison Douglas Prescott III, 31, of the 6900 block of West Tumbling T Street, is being held on $7,500 bail on robbery and marijuana charges, the jail said.

Stoutmeyer said Green is suspected of going into the bank and Prescott is suspected of being the driver.

Trial set in teen’s beating death

By A.J. FLICK

ajflick@tucsoncitizen.com

A 41-year-old Tucson man will go on trial this fall in the beating death of a teenager.

Judge John E. Davis of Pima County Superior Court set a Nov. 30 trial for Philip Charles Duran, who is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Barclay “Clay” Fincher, 17, on Aug. 5, 2000.

Duran also is charged with endangerment and fleeing from police. He is being held in the Pima County Jail on a $1 million bond.

Fincher died outside his home on West Bopp Road, near West Ajo Highway and South San Joaquin Road. Neighbors had heard moaning from Fincher’s trailer and called 911.

Fincher’s family described him as a bull-riding, motorcycle-racing ladies’ man with a cheery smile that delighted everyone.

His family said he intended to join the U.S. Marine Corps when he turned 18, as his father did. Fincher would have turned 18 a week after his death.