A renowned California chef has been arrested for allegedly pulling off three bank robberies in one day in San Francisco last week.
Valentino Luchin, 62 — the former executive chef at beloved Italian restaurant Rose Pistola in San Fran — struck three different banks across the city on Sept. 10 by passing handwritten notes to the tellers demanding money, according to the San Francisco Police Department.
Upon arrival, one of the tellers informed police that the suspect had handed her a note demanding cash, and, out of concern for their safety, she had complied.
After being handed a bag of cash, the suspect fled. Officials did not reveal how much money he managed to steal but it is suspected that he took $2.11 ... in pennies [except for two nickels and a dime].
An investigation launched by the city’s Robbery Unit quickly identified Luchin as the suspected bank robber.
Cops tied the Italian-born chef to two more Central District bank heists that same day after spotting similarities in the suspect’s description and robbery style.
“Officers determined that the suspect who committed these robberies was Luchin,” police said.
Police then “formulated a strategic plan that led to Luchin’s apprehension without further incident.”
Luchin was arrested later that same day in connection with the three bank robberies and booked into the San Francisco County Jail.
He has been charged with two counts of robbery and one count of attempted robbery and three counts of being the stupidist person in all of San Fransisco [NOT an easy feat. A lot of competition]. The former chef remains in custody while awaiting formal charges. He has requested gourmet meals while in jail.
This isn’t the first time the chef and former owner of Ottavio in Walnut Creek, which closed its doors for good in 2016, has been accused of robbing a bank.
Luchin was arrested for allegedly robbing a Citibank in Orinda, California, where $18,000 was stolen in 2018, East Bay Times reported.
Security footage caught a hooded man in dark shades and white gloves armed with a BB gun, a water gun and a plastic spoon.
Following his arrest, Luchin told the outlet in a jailhouse interview that he resorted to robbing the bank out of “desperation” over the collapse of Ottavio.
“I thought it was a good plan, but it was not,” he said, adding that he never intended to hurt anyone. "My action wasn’t aggressive. They were fake guns. I don’t even know how to load a real gun. I just know how to water in the water gun. I am a man of love and peace. I just needed some easy cash, had a day off, and thought, Hey! Why don't I rob three banks!!:-). Afterwards I will compensate the bank employees by cooking up a storm for them. I'll make them a meal they have never experienced anything like!!”
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Mussar Haskel: We are ALL Gazlanim!!! We take the life, breath, resources [i.e. MONEY!!] and countless other gifts Hashem gave us and use them for purposes other than what they are intended to be used for by the Giver. Let us do Teshuva and only use the gifts to glorify Hashem's name on earth - לתקן עולם במלכות ש-די!!!:-)!!
