Crime & Safety
Ladera Ranch 'Snowboarder Bandit' Convicted
The bank robber who used Band-Aids to cover his fingertips was convicted Thursday.
"Snowboarder Bandit" Michael Brandon Franks, 30, pleaded guilty Thursday to felonies related to 10 bank robberies between Dec. 2011 and March 2012. One of those robberies took place at a US Bank in Ladera Ranch.
Franks copped to 10 counts of second-degree robbery and two counts of attempted second-degree robbery. He faces 10 years and six months in state prison.
In each of the robberies, Franks carried out similar acts, according to prosecutors: he entered the bank wearing distinctive headgear which included a motorcycle helmet or beanie and sunglasses, approached a bank teller, and slipped the teller a note which stated he had a gun and demanded money.
On May 4, 2012, members of the Irvine Police Department arrested Franks at his Riverside home. At the time of his arrest, Franks had money fanned out in the passenger side of his vehicle, a ripped up demand note, and several used Band-Aids he used to cover his fingertips.
He is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 17 at 8:30 a.m. in Department C-34, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.
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