Citrus Heights police make arrest after series of bank robberies

By Mike Hazlip—
Citrus Heights police on Tuesday announced the arrest of a suspect in multiple bank robberies, after a months-long investigation involving several law enforcement agencies.

Police said the suspect, 32-year-old John Dean Shultz, was arrested at his Orangevale residence on Monday night, following a robbery earlier that same night at Union Bank in Citrus Heights. Shultz is accused of two other bank robberies in Citrus Heights, as well as robbing a bank in Auburn.

In all four robberies, Shultz wore what appeared to be a pipe bomb on his chest, police say. Authorities were able to develop “numerous pieces of evidence” as the frequency of Shultz robberies increased, according to a news release.

Officers recovered what turned out to be a replica explosive device at Shultz’ residence along with additional pieces of evidence that link him to the crimes, police said. A handgun, two AR-15 style assault rifles, and evidence of drug use were also located. The firearms were illegally possessed, according to police.

Lt. Wesley Herman told The Sentinel in a phone call Tuesday that the money from the robberies was not recovered. Herman said authorities are not disclosing the amount, calling it “a fair amount” but less than “hundreds of thousands” of dollars.

Shultz was arrested on three counts of felony bank robbery, along with illegal weapons possession charges, according to the release. Police expect another count of robbery will be requested from the Placer County District Attorney for the auburn crime.

Inmate booking records show Shultz was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail just after midnight on Nov. 29. He is facing three counts of felony first degree robbery, three counts of felony possession of a firearm by a felon, and a misdemeanor charge for possession of a controlled substance. His bail is set at $510,000.

Citrus Heights police worked the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Special Enforcement Detail and the Explosive Ordinance Disposal team along with other agencies, the release said.

“The Citrus Heights Police Department would like to thank the Sacramento Field Office of the FBI, and the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance with this investigation,” police said. “In conjunction with the assistance of our community, this robbery series is now over and we are grateful that nobody was injured.”

The Sentinel previously reported that Union bank was robbed on Sept. 15. About a month later on Nov. 14, the River City Bank was robbed. Union Bank was again robbed Monday, Nov. 28. Both banks are located near Kingswood Drive and Sunrise Boulevard.