A suspected bank robber is behind bars after he was tracked down to a Denair residence and taken into custody by the Turlock Police Department’s S.W.A.T. Team, with the help of sheriff’s deputies from Merced and Stanislaus counties.

The suspect was identified as Jose Elizalde, 29, of Denair. He was arrested for attempted bank robbery for a Turlock incident and robbery for a case in Merced County.

Around 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 25, officers with the Turlock Police Department were dispatched to the F&M Bank at 2340 Geer Road for a panic alarm that had been activated.

“When the first officer arrived, he learned of an attempted bank robbery that had just occurred, and that the suspect had fled in an unknown direction,” said Turlock Police spokeswoman Dominique Sanchez. “The suspect was described as wearing a full ski mask, gloves, and a large jacket. Another witness told an assisting officer that the suspect took off on a white dirt bike and was last seen headed east on E. Tuolumne Road. Officers obtained surveillance footage and canvased the area.”

Turlock Police Detectives were able to obtain evidence that led to the identification of Elizalde. Detectives also learned that Elizalde was associated with a robbery case the Merced County Sheriff’s Office was investigating. 

On Thursday, the three law enforcement agencies coordinated to serve a search warrant at Elizalde’s Denair residence in the 2900 block of North Waring Road and took him into custody. He was booked into the Merced County Jail on both agency’s warrants and was being held on a $1.1 million bail.

The Turlock Police Department ask that anyone with information about the case, call Detective Blanc at (209) 668-6540. You can also contact the Turlock Police Department’s Tip Line at (209) 668-5550 extension 6780 or email at tpdtipline@turlock.ca.us.