Police: Norteno gang member arrested in connection to bank robbery, attempted murder of police officer

YUMA, Ariz. (KION) Police said a suspected Norteno gang member was arrested in connection to a Pleasanton bank robbery and attempted murder of a police officer based on information provided by Salinas police.

Joel Torres was arrested in Yuma, Arizona Tuesday by members of the Arizona WANTED Violent Offender Task Force and Yuma police.

"A dangerous fugitive who has shown his disregard for public safety and intent to harm those sworn to protect the community is in custody. This arrest is the direct result of the coordination between federal and local law enforcement agencies," said District of Arizona U.S. Marshal David Gonzales.

In February, police said Torres and three other people with AK-47 style rifles reportedly robbed a bank in Pleasanton and led police on a chase. Police said Torres is believed to have shot his rifle through the back window of the vehicle he was in, hitting a police car. The officer was not hurt, but the car could not operate because of the number of bullets that hit it.

Investigators believed Torres went to Yuma, and because he is a suspected Norteno gang member from Salinas with past convictions that include burglary, robbery and drug charges, Salinas police helped investigators find him.

Based on the information given by Salinas police, Torres was found. When law enforcement got to the home where they found him, they said he ran out the back door and jumped over walls into nearby backyards.

Police said he was arrested after leaving a neighbor's property. He was booked into the Yuma County Jail and charged with attempted murder of a police officer.

"This is just another example of nationwide collaboration between local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.  You can run, but you can't hide," said Marshal Donald O'Keefe from the District of Northern California.