Gambling addiction leads to bank robbery?

December 4, 2013

Investigators are looking at a Paso Robles man’s gambling addiction as a possible motive for his alleged robbery of a Cambria bank. [KSBY]

Last Month, San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Valentine at his Heritage Ranch home for the Nov. 7 robbery of a Rabobank in Cambria. During the robbery, a man wielding a gun and disguised in a mask demanded cash.

According to a search warrant obtained by KSBY, deputies pulled Valentine over shortly after the robbery occurred in a vehicle matching the description of the get-away-car. He talked to officers and was let go.

A few minutes later, a California Fish and Wildlife officer approached Valentine, and also let him go on his way. However, a search of the area led to the discovery of a black bag with clothes and shoes matching those worn by the robber and a cardboard note used in the robbery.

Five days later, officers again interviewed Valentine at his home. The former Santa Barbara Sheriff’s deputy said he had rented the Hyundai while his truck was at a body shop. Though he elected not to fix his truck because of the cost, he decided to take a drive down Highway 101 to Morro Bay in the rental car.

Valentine said he stopped at a liquor store to get a sandwich and a bottle of water, but he did not appear on the store’s video.

Valentine said later that night he went to the Tachi Palace Casino in Lemoore. Casino officials said he had gambled more than $300,000 in 2013 and lost more than $16,000.

Valentine remains in jail with bail set at $250,000.