Bank Robber Who Fled on Lime Electric Scooter Sentenced to 57 Months

Topics:  Lime

U.S. Attorney’s Office
Southern District of California
15 June 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – June 15, 2020

SAN DIEGO – Mario Daniel Haro, a United States Citizen who resided in Rosarito, Mexico, was sentenced in federal court today to 57 months in prison and ordered to pay restitution for robbing a Chula Vista bank in 2019.

Haro pleaded guilty on February 3, 2020, admitting that he robbed a San Diego bank by presenting a demand note that threatened the teller. He fled the crime scene on a Lime electric scooter. This was Haro’s second federal conviction for bank robbery. In 2008, Haro was also convicted of robbing a Chula Vista bank in case number 08CR0649-BTM.

“Unfortunately this defendant failed to take advantage of his second chance and committed an additional violent crime,” said U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer. “As this case demonstrates, individuals who reoffend will be investigated, arrested and convicted and usually the sentence will be longer. Hopefully this time the defendant learned a lesson.”

In his plea agreement, Haro admitted that, on October 14, 2019, at approximately 3:00 p.m., he entered the Chase Bank at 2121 Olympic Parkway in Chula Vista, California, and approached a teller window. Haro told the teller he had a gun and presented the teller with a demand note, which read: “I have a GUN! Give me all money. NO INK Packages.” The teller fearing for her life, her co-workers, and the banks patrons’ safety, complied with the demands and provided Haro with approximately $1,000 in cash. After receiving the cash from the victim teller, Haro exited the bank and then fled the scene.

“The FBI's Violent Crimes Task Force (VCTF), which joins law enforcement personnel and resources, works to swiftly solve cases to prevent series bank robberies like this one,” commented Acting FBI Special Agent in Charge Omer Meisel. “The safety of the San Diego community is a priority for the FBI VCTF.”

Brewer commended the prosecutor in this case, AUSA Matthew Brehm, the Chula Vista Police Department and the FBI for their diligent work in this investigation. The Chula Vista Police Department’s spokesperson recognized “the collaboration and cooperation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Attorney’s Office and the Violent Crime and Human Trafficking (VCHT) Taskforce that led to the identification, arrest and successful prosecution of bank robbery suspect Mario Haro. The joint efforts by all involved have made for a safer community in Chula Vista and the San Diego region.”

This case is the result of the ongoing efforts of the Violent Crime and Human Trafficking (VCHT) Section. Formed in 2019 by U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer, the VCHT is tasked with leading collaborations between federal and local law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of cases involving violent crimes, firearms and gang cases; sex trafficking and child exploitation; civil rights, and labor trafficking. The VCHT Section oversees the Southern District of California Coordinators for Project Safe Neighborhoods, Human Trafficking, and Project Safe Childhood.

DEFENDANT    Case Number 19cr4747-W

Mario Daniel Haro    Age: 32     Rosarito, Baja California, Mexico

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Bank Robbery – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 2113(a)

Maximum penalty: 20 years’ imprisonment and $250,000 fine

AGENCY

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Chula Vista Police Department

Contact:
Assistant U. S. Attorney Matthew Brehm (619) 546-8983

Press Release Number:
CAS20-0615-Haro