I (Almost) Got Away with It (2010–2016): Season 1, Episode 10 - Got to Rob Banks - full transcript

Narrator: A DANGEROUS BANK
ROBBER IS ON THE LAM

IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

Rehder:
HE WAS TRYING TO PROVE

THAT HE WAS SMARTER
THAN ANYONE ELSE.

"CATCH ME IF YOU CAN."

Narrator: JOE LOYA LEADS
A SECRET DOUBLE LIFE,

FOOLING EVERYONE AROUND HIM.

HIS FRIENDS WERE TOTALLY
OBLIVIOUS TO THE FACT

THAT HE WAS SPENDING
HIS AFTERNOONS ROBBING BANKS.

Narrator: HE USES HIS CHARM
TO WIN OVER THE COPS.

WE'LL GIVE YOU A RIDE.



YOUR AVERAGE BANK ROBBER
DOESN'T LOOK THAT GOOD.

[ SIREN WAILS ]

Narrator: NOW THE FBI
MUST IDENTIFY THE BANDIT

AND PUT A STOP
TO HIS BANK-ROBBING SPREE.

FACEDOWN ON THE GROUND!

CRIMINALS SOMETIMES
TRY TO ESCAPE FROM JUSTICE.

THIS IS THE STORY OF HOW ONE MAN
ALMOST GOT AWAY WITH IT.

CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY
DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS

1985, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA.

AT APPROXIMATELY 4:45 P.M.,

A FIRST-TIME BANK ROBBER
TAKES HIS PLACE IN LINE.

HE WAITS FOR THE NEXT TELLER,
A NOTE CLENCHED IN HIS HAND.

23-YEAR-OLD JOE LOYA
IS NO STRANGER TO CRIME.

FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS,
HE'S BEEN A SMALL-TIME FELON.



TODAY, HE'S READY
TO RAISE THE STAKES.

WHAT HAPPENS
IN THE NEXT TWO MINUTES

WILL CHANGE THE ENTIRE COURSE
OF HIS LIFE.

I WALK IN THE BANK,
AND NOW IT'S 4:45,

AND BANKS CLOSE AT 5:00
IN THOSE DAYS.

THIS IS IT.

I PUT MY FANNY PACK
ON THE COUNTER,

AND I SLIDE HER THIS NOTE.

"WE HAVE A BOMB.
I HAVE A GUN.

GIVE ME THE MONEY NOW."

Narrator: THE TELLER
READS THE NOTE SLOWLY,

REFUSING TO MAKE EYE CONTACT
WITH LOYA.

15 SECONDS GO BY.

Loya: YOU HAVE TO PUSH YOURSELF
PAST THIS THRESHOLD OF FEAR.

IF YOU DON'T COME
WITH SOME VIOLENT MOMENTUM,

SOME RAGE
OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT,

YOU'RE JUST GONNA BUMP UP
AGAINST YOUR FEAR

AND BE REPELLED, YOU KNOW?

SO, THAT'S WHAT WAS GOING ON.
I WAS SCARED TO DEATH.

I WAS GOING
INTO A NEW TERRITORY,

AND I FINALLY JUST SAY,

"GIVE ME THE MONEY NOW OR
I'LL BLOW YOUR F'ing HEAD OFF."

Narrator:
LOYA PATS HIS WAISTBAND
TO SIGNAL THAT HE IS ARMED.

Loya: I LET HER BELIEVE
THAT I HAVE THIS WEAPON,

JUST LIKE I WANT HER TO BELIEVE
I HAVE A BOMB.

Narrator: FINALLY,
THE TELLER OPENS HER DRAWER.

SHE PASSES A WAD OF BILLS
OVER THE COUNTER.

Loya:
I WALK OUT OF THE BANK...

...TURN LEFT,
AND I START RUNNING.

Narrator:
LOYA FLAGS DOWN A TAXI.

AS HE CLIMBS IN,
TWO PATROL CARS RUSH BY.

[ SIRENS WAILING ]

MOMENTS LATER, LOYA'S ALONE
IN A SAN DIEGO MOTEL,

COUNTING HIS TAKE.

Loya: I DID IT.

I ROBBED THIS BANK.
I'M EXCITED.

$4,300 BUCKS IS A LOT OF MONEY,
YOU KNOW,

FOR FIVE MINUTES OF WORK.

[ WHISTLE BLOWS ]

Narrator:
LOYA'S GOT A PLAN IN MIND --

HIDE OUT IN MEXICO

AND MAKE HIS FORTUNE
ROBBING BANKS IN THE U.S.

Loya:
I KNOW THAT PANCHO VILLA

USED TO GO UP
INTO THE UNITED STATES.

HE WOULD COMMIT HIS CRIMES --

POST OFFICE, BANKS --

AND THEN HE'D SCOOT BACK
INTO MEXICO.

THIS IS MY GAME.

I'M A BANK ROBBER NOW.

Narrator: THE NEXT DAY,

LOYA GETS INTO A CAR HE'D STOLEN
JUST DAYS EARLIER.

AS HE HEADS
FOR THE MEXICAN BORDER,

THERE'S A MASSIVE TRAFFIC JAM.

Loya:
IT'S JUST BUMPER TO BUMPER.
NOW THERE'S CARS BEHIND ME.

WE'RE ALL STALLED,
AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY.

Narrator: LOYA PANICS.

HE'S WORRIED THAT THE POLICE
MIGHT BE LOOKING FOR HIM.

BUT WHEN HE PULLS UP
TO THE BORDER-CROSSING POINT,

HE REALIZES THAT
THEY'RE DOING A RANDOM CHECK

FOR STOLEN VEHICLES.

HOW YOU DOING TODAY?

A POLICEMAN
RUNS A CHECK ON HIS CAR.

RUN THAT OFF FOR ME
IF YOU DON'T MIND.

LOYA KNOWS HE'S IN TROUBLE.

HE'S DRIVING A STOLEN CAR.

WE'VE GOT A HIT
ON THAT ONE.

Loya:
I PRETEND I'M SOMEBODY ELSE.

I TELL THEM I'M BORROWING
A FRIEND'S CAR FROM MEXICO.

SIR, GO AHEAD AND STEP OUT
OF THE VEHICLE FOR ME.

Narrator: THE BORDER PATROL
ISN'T BUYING LOYA'S STORY.

THEY RUN A BACKGROUND CHECK...

I TOLD YOU,
THIS IS MY CAR.

...AND DISCOVER
THAT LOYA HAS FIVE WARRANTS OUT

FOR HIS ARREST.

[ HANDCUFFS CLICK ]

LOYA IS SENTENCED
TO TWO YEARS

IN A CALIFORNIA PRISON

FOR CHECK FRAUD AND CAR THEFT.

AUTHORITIES CONFISCATE
THE MONEY HE'S CARRYING,

BUT NEVER LINK HIM
TO THE SAN DIEGO BANK ROBBERY.

THANK YOU.

WHILE IN PRISON,
ALL LOYA CAN THINK ABOUT IS

THE ADRENALINE RUSH
FROM THE BANK ROBBERY

AND HOW HE GOT AWAY WITH IT.

HE STARTS FORMULATING
A NEW CAREER.

Loya:
THE WHOLE TIME, I'M THINKING,

"I'M GONNA ROB BANKS
WHEN I GET OUT.

"I KNOW WHAT I'M GONNA DO.
I'M GONNA ROB BANKS.

"I'M NOT GONNA DO FRAUD ANYMORE.

"I'M NOT GONNA DO
STRONG-ARM ROBBERY.

"I'M NOT GONNA DO
GRAND THEFT AUTO.

IT'S ALL ABOUT BANK ROBBERY."

Narrator: JANUARY 1988.

AFTER TWO YEARS,
LOYA GETS OUT OF PRISON.

HE'S TRANSFORMED --
STRONGER AND BOLDER.

BY MARCH, HE'S READY
TO GET BACK IN THE GAME.

HE ABANDONS HIS ORIGINAL PLAN

OF CROSSING BETWEEN MEXICO
AND THE U.S.

INSTEAD, HE DECIDES TO BUILD UP
HIS BANK ROLL IN CALIFORNIA,

THEN FLEE TO MEXICO FOR GOOD.

HE DRIVES AROUND LOS ANGELES,

SEARCHING FOR THE RIGHT BANK
TO ROB.

FINALLY,
HE PULLS UP TO A STRIP MALL.

LOYA PATIENTLY WAITS IN LINE,

THEN HE HANDS OVER A DEPOSIT
SLIP WITH A MESSAGE.

COME ON.

THE TELLER HANDS OVER THE BILLS.

HE WARNS THE CLERK
NOT TO CALL THE POLICE.

OH, MY GOD.

THAT MAN JUST ROBBED ME.

Loya:
WHEN I WALKED OUT OF THE BANK,

I DIDN'T GET IN MY CAR
AND DRIVE AWAY.

I WALKED THROUGH THE PARKING LOT
VERY CASUALLY,

AND I COULD TURN AROUND,

AND I WOULD SEE WHEN PEOPLE
WALKED OUT OF THE BANK...

...THEY WOULD IMMEDIATELY START
LOOKING FOR THE GETAWAY CAR.

Narrator:
TO ESCAPE UNNOTICED,

LOYA'S STRATEGY
IS TO PARK HIS CAR

ABOUT A QUARTER MILE
FROM A BANK.

THIS WAY,
HE'LL BLEND IN WITH THE CROWD

AS HE WALKS
THROUGH THE PARKING LOT.

Loya:
THEY NEVER SAW ME.

AND I WOULD GET TO MY CAR,
AND I'D DRIVE AWAY.

THEY NEVER SAW
WHAT KIND OF CAR I DROVE.

Narrator: AT HIS CAR, LOYA
IMMEDIATELY CHANGES HIS OUTFIT.

HE WANTS TO MAKE SURE WITNESSES
ARE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY HIM.

THEN HE DRIVES AWAY

JUST AS THE COPS
ARE RACING TO THE BANK.

Loya:
AND I'D GO HOME THAT NIGHT,

AND I'D FEEL INCREDIBLY
MELLOW -- INCREDIBLY MELLOW.

AND I WOULD TAKE MYSELF
TO A NICE RESTAURANT

IN SANTA MONICA OR SOMETHING.

Narrator: BY 1988,
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA IS KNOWN

AS THE BANK-ROBBERY CAPITAL
OF THE WORLD,

AVERAGING 1,400 ROBBERIES
PER YEAR.

Rehder: IT WAS A SITUATION HERE
IN LOS ANGELES

WHERE THERE WERE
SO MANY ROBBERIES

THAT WE NEEDED TO KEEP TRACK OF
THESE INDIVIDUAL SERIAL BANDITS.

Narrator:
FBI AGENT WILLIAM REHDER
STEPS UP TO THE TASK.

HE TAKES ON THE ROLE
OF BANK-ROBBERY COORDINATOR

FOR THE LOS ANGELES DIVISION.

HIS JOB IS TO REVIEW AND ANALYZE
EVERY SERIAL BANDIT IN THE AREA.

THEN, HE MUST DETERMINE

WHICH BANK ROBBERIES
THEY'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR.

BY JULY 1988,

REHDER HAS BEEN CLOSELY
FOLLOWING LOYA'S ROBBERIES.

HE'S NOT SURPRISED

THAT THE BANDIT'S ALREADY ROBBED
FOUR BANKS.

Rehder: YOU MUST UNDERSTAND THAT
VIRTUALLY EVERY BANK ROBBERY

IS COMMITTED BY A SERIAL BANDIT.

NOBODY ROBS JUST ONE BANK.

IT'S LIKE EATING POTATO CHIPS
OR COCKTAIL PEANUTS --

NOBODY HAS JUST ONE.

Narrator:
REHDER EXAMINES THE ONLY SHREDS
OF TANGIBLE EVIDENCE --

BANK SURVEILLANCE PHOTOS.

HE CAREFULLY ANALYZES
THESE PHOTOS

AND COMES UP WITH A PROFILE
FOR THE BANDIT.

Rehder: I THOUGHT INITIALLY,

BECAUSE HE WAS ROBBING
SO CONSISTENTLY,

THAT PERHAPS HE WAS
A HARD-CORE NARCOTICS ADDICT --

A HYPE, AS WE WOULD --
AS WE TERMED THEM AT THE TIME.

HOWEVER, THE SURVEILLANCE
PHOTOGRAPHS BELAYED THAT FACT.

HE WAS ALWAYS DRESSED VERY WELL,

WHETHER IT WAS IN CASUAL ATTIRE
OR BUSINESS-CASUAL ATTIRE,

INCLUDING A SPORT JACKET.

SOMETIMES, HE EVEN APPEARED
IN A SUIT AND A TIE.

THERE WERE OTHER ROBBERIES

WHERE HE WORE A HAT
OR PERHAPS A FEDORA.

Narrator: NOT KNOWING
THE BANDIT'S IDENTITY,

REHDER COMES UP WITH A NICKNAME
FOR THE SUSPECT.

Rehder:
HE HAD A VERY DEEP-BROWN,
MOCHA-LIKE COMPLEXION.

HE ALSO HAD DARK,
ALMOST JET-BLACK HAIR,

WHICH HE COMBED VERY NEATLY.

IN THIS PARTICULAR INSTANCE,

WITH THE MIDDLE-EASTERN
APPEARANCE,

I ASSIGNED A NICKNAME
"THE BEIRUT BANDIT."

Narrator:
BY DAY, THE BEIRUT BANDIT
LEADS A SECRET DOUBLE LIFE.

HIS FRIENDS AND FAMILY
HAVE NO CLUE

THAT LOYA IS A FELON.

HE HAD QUITE A STYLE ABOUT HIM.
HE DRESSED IN NICE SUITS.

HE READ THE WALL STREET JOURNAL.

HIS FRIENDS TENDED TO BELIEVE

THAT MAYBE HE WAS MAKING MONEY
IN THE STOCK MARKET.

HE LIKED TO PLAY GOLF.
HE VOTED REPUBLICAN.

HE HAD SET UP THIS KIND OF
MEXICAN GORDON GEKKO PERSONA

ABOUT HIMSELF.

Loya: IT WASN'T HARD
TO HAVE THIS DOUBLE LIFE,

BECAUSE
I HAD BEEN RAISED DOUBLE.

MY DAD WAS A COMPLETE FRAUD.

Narrator: LOYA'S FRIEND HELPS
HIM GET A JOB AS A SOUS CHEF

AT A PASADENA RESTAURANT.

Heffron:
EVERYONE WAS REALLY EXCITED,

BECAUSE THERE WAS SOMEONE NEW
COMING TO THE RESTAURANT.

JOE CAME IN,
AND WE JUST HEARD HIM LAUGH,

AND HE BROUGHT
SO MUCH ENERGY WITH HIM,

AND I LIKED HIM IMMEDIATELY.

I THOUGHT HE WAS BEAUTIFUL.

HE HAD DARK HAIR THAT WAS COMBED
BACK TO HIS HEAD.

HE HAD THIS GREAT SMILE.

I'M IN LOVE WITH YOU,
HONEY.

WHEN HE WAS AT WORK,
HE WAS CONSISTENTLY LAUGHING,

CONSISTENTLY TELLING JOKES,

CONSISTENTLY
MAKING PEOPLE HAPPY.

I DON'T THINK I EVER SAW HIM
WHERE HE WAS DOWN,

AND YOU WANT TO BE AROUND
SOMEONE LIKE THAT.

Narrator: HE USES THIS JOB
AS THE PERFECT ALIBI.

Loya:
WHEN I WAS GONNA ROB A BANK,

I WOULD HAVE SOMEBODY WORK
ON MY TIMECARD.

SO, I WOULD TELL THESE GUYS,

"I'LL PAY YOU $150, $175 BUCKS.
WILL YOU WORK MY SHIFT?"

AND THEY WERE LIKE, "OF COURSE."

GUYS WERE ALWAYS
PICKING UP MY SHIFT,

AND I WOULD GO ROB A BANK.

AND I WOULD HAVE A TIME
CARD SAYING THAT I HAD
WORKED THAT DAY,

THINKING THAT
THAT WAS GONNA BE MY ALIBI.

Narrator:
BY SEPTEMBER 1988,

THE BEIRUT BANDIT HAS
GOTTEN AWAY WITH 10 ROBBERIES

IN THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA
IN JUST OVER EIGHT MONTHS.

HIS NEXT TARGET
IS A BANK IN RIVERSIDE.

THIS TIME,
HE DECIDES TO DITCH THE NOTE.

Berton: OVER TIME, HE STARTED
TO NOTICE SMALL, LITTLE WAYS

WHERE HE COULD MAKE HIS JOB
EVEN MORE EFFICIENT.

INSTEAD OF PASSING NOTES
THROUGH THE TELLER WINDOW,

HE WOULD JUST VERBALLY SAY,
"GIVE ME THE MONEY,"

'CAUSE IT TOOK LESS TIME,

AND THE PERSON KNEW DIRECTLY
WHAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT.

Narrator:
LOYA WALKS INSIDE AND WAITS
FOR THE NEXT AVAILABLE TELLER.

Loya: I WALK OVER THERE.
SHE'S SMILING AT ME.

"HOW YOU DOING, SIR?"

"I'M ALL RIGHT.
I'M ALL RIGHT."

I PUT MY FANNY PACK
ON THE COUNTER,

AND THEN I LEAN IN CLOSE,
AND I TELL HER,

"WE HAVE A BOMB.
I HAVE A GUN.

GIVE ME THE MONEY NOW, OR
I'LL BLOW YOUR F'ing HEAD OFF."

SHE JUST STARTS SHAKING,
JUST LIKE PARALYZED,

AND I'M THINKING,
"I GOT TO WORK THIS ONE."

START WITH THE BIG BILLS.

Narrator: LOYA KEEPS HIS EYES
LOCKED ON THE TELLER.

HE'S AFRAID THAT SHE MIGHT
PASS OUT AT ANY MOMENT.

FINALLY, SHE OPENS THE DRAWER.

Loya: "OPEN IT,
GIVE ME THE BIG BILLS FIRST,

"TURN AROUND, CLOSE THE DRAWER,
AND WALK AWAY.

DON'T LOOK BACK."

NOW, THE ENTIRE TIME
THAT SHE'S GIVING ME THE MONEY,

I'M JUST THROWING MONEY
IN MY BAG,

'CAUSE I DON'T WANT TO LOSE
EYE CONTACT WITH HER.

COME ON.

Narrator: LOYA STUFFS
THE BILLS INTO HIS BAG,

THEN HE SPINS AROUND
AND WALKS OUT THE DOOR.

AS SOON AS HE STEPS
ONTO THE SIDEWALK,

HIS BAG EXPLODES.

[ EXPLOSION ]

Loya:
I'M CROSSING THE STREET.

ALL OF A SUDDEN, "BOOM!"

AND THE BAG FLIES
OUT OF MY HAND,

AND THERE'S THIS BIG PLUME OF
RED SMOKE COMING OUT OF MY BAG

AND A HOLE ABOUT THAT BIG IN IT.

Narrator: THE TELLER HAD PLACED
AN EXPLODING DYE PACK

IN THE STACKS OF BILLS.

THEN, THE BANK ALARM GOES OFF.

LOYA HAS TO THINK FAST.

Narrator: SEPTEMBER 1988.

JOE LOYA HAS BEEN COMMITTING
A STRING OF BANK ROBBERIES

FOR EIGHT MONTHS.

BUT WHILE MAKING HIS GETAWAY
FROM A LOS ANGELES BANK,

HIS BAG OF MONEY EXPLODES...

RELEASING A RED PLUME OF SMOKE.

HE QUICKLY REALIZES

THAT THE TELLER HAD GIVEN HIM
A BRICK OF BILLS

WITH AN EXPLODING DYE PACK.

[ EXPLOSION ]

Loya: WHEN THE BAG DROPPED
ON THE STREET,

THERE WAS NO THINKING TWICE.

I HAVE TO TAKE THIS BAG WITH ME.
IT HAS MY FINGERPRINTS ON IT.

Narrator:
LOYA REACHES FOR THE BAG.

HIS EYES SUDDENLY START TO BURN.
IT'S TEAR GAS.

Loya: I'M THINKING
I MIGHT NOT MAKE IT TO MY CAR,

BECAUSE MY EYES --

I SWEAR, ANY SECOND NOW,

THEY FEEL LIKE
I'M JUST GONNA HAVE TO STOP

BECAUSE THEY'RE JUST BURNING
SO INTENSELY.

AS LOYA STRUGGLES TO HIS CAR,
HE HEARS SIRENS APPROACHING.

[ SIRENS WAILING ]

THERE WAS A MOMENT

WHERE I THOUGHT
I WOULDN'T MAKE IT TO MY CAR.

I REALLY FELT LIKE THERE'S
NO WAY I'M MAKING IT TO MY CAR.

Narrator: LOYA FINALLY MAKES IT
TO HIS CAR.

HE TEARS OFF HIS CLOTHES
AND STUFFS THEM INTO THE TRUNK.

HE SEES A COP CAR
FLASHING ITS LIGHTS.

IT'S HEADED
DIRECTLY TOWARDS HIM.

Loya:
I GOT MY SUNGLASSES ON,

AND I'M BLINKING, BLINKING,
BLINKING, BLINKING.

AND A COP COMES THIS WAY,

AND I'M JUST HOPING THAT
HE DOESN'T, LIKE, SUSPECT ME

OR THAT I DON'T FIT
THE DESCRIPTION.

NOW I DON'T LOOK LIKE THE GUY
WHO JUST WALKED OUT.

I THINK
HE'S GONNA TURN AROUND FOR ME,

SO I GO DOWN THIS BLOCK.

I EVENTUALLY GET OUT
OF THAT NEIGHBORHOOD,

AND I DRIVE TO THE NEXT TOWN.

Narrator: WHEN LOYA PULLS UP
IN FRONT OF HIS APARTMENT,

HE TAKES OUT
THE BRICKS OF BILLS.

[ GROANS ]

Narrator: THE RED DYE
HAS RUINED ALL THE MONEY.

Loya: I THOUGHT TO MYSELF,
"MAN, THIS WOMAN WAS SLICK."

SHE MADE IT
SO I HAD TO LOOK AT HER EYES

SO I COULDN'T SEE
THAT SHE WAS GIVING ME

WHAT AMOUNTED TO
TOTALLY FAKE MONEY.

I ENDED UP
HAVING TO THROW AWAY THE MONEY,

AND IT WAS ABOUT $7,500
THAT I THREW IN THE TRASH.

Narrator:
THE INCIDENT DOESN'T DETER LOYA
FROM PULLING BANK HEISTS.

HE CONTINUES TO LEAD
A DOUBLE LIFE...

I'M TELLING YOU, MAN,
WE'RE GONNA GO TO VEGAS,

HAVE A GREAT TIME,
RIGHT?

...USING HIS CHARM
TO FOOL EVERYONE AROUND HIM.

WHAT'S DANGEROUS ABOUT JOE LOYA
PROBABLY ISN'T THE FACT

THAT HE COULD WALK INTO A BANK,
GRAB A PILE OF MONEY, AND RUN.

WHAT'S REALLY DANGEROUS
ABOUT HIM IS HIS CHARM.

CAN I HAVE SOME WINE?

Berton: SO, HIS FRIENDS
AT THE TIME, YOU KNOW,

DESCRIBE JOE
AS THIS WONDERFUL GUY

WHO HAD THIS TALENT
TO READ PEOPLE VERY QUICKLY,

SEE WHAT THEY WERE ABOUT,
MIRROR THAT IMAGE BACK TO THEM,

AND THEY WOULD SUDDENLY ADOPT
JOE AS THEIR FRIEND

BECAUSE THEY WERE SEEING

EVERYTHING THEY WANTED TO SEE
IN HIM,

AND HE KNEW HOW TO USE THIS
TO HIS ADVANTAGE,

HOW TO DRAW PEOPLE IN CLOSE
AND MANIPULATE THEM.

Narrator:
WOMEN FIND HIS CHARM SEDUCTIVE.

JOE WAS CHARMING IN MANY WAYS,

BUT MOSTLY BECAUSE
HE KNEW HOW TO FIGURE OUT

WHAT WAS IMPORTANT TO YOU
AND TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THAT.

AND JOE IS A BIG TALKER,
AND SO HE WOULD ASK QUESTIONS

AND MAKE YOU FEEL SEEN
AND APPRECIATED.

I HAD A HUGE CRUSH ON JOE,
BUT HE HAD A GIRLFRIEND.

WE DEVELOPED A BOND
REALLY QUICKLY,

'CAUSE WE BOTH LOVED READING,

AND WE BOTH
WANTED TO BE WRITERS.

Narrator: LOYA FREELY SPENDS
THE LOOT ON HIS FRIENDS.

Loya: I WAS BUYING
MY FRIENDS EVERYTHING.

ANYTHING THEY WANTED,
THEY COULD HAVE.

PLAYING GOLF ALL THE TIME,
PAYING $30 FOR GOLF,

AND THEN BUYING ALL MY FRIENDS
CLUBS, YOU KNOW.

I JUST WANTED TO BE THAT GUY,
YOU KNOW?

I WANTED TO BE A GUY
THAT BOUGHT EVERYTHING.

WE'D HAVE LUNCH,
AND WE'D PLAY ANOTHER 18 HOLES,

AND I'D PAY FOR EVERYTHING.

Narrator: HE ALSO USES THE MONEY
ON EXTRAVAGANT SHOPPING SPREES.

Loya: CRIMINALS
ARE INCREDIBLY IMPULSIVE.

IT'S JUST ABOUT SPENDING MONEY.

I HAD A BUNCH OF LOAFERS.

I HAD SUITS TAILOR-MADE
IN SAN MARINO,

AND THEY WERE ALL $1,000.

I WAS LIVING
THIS LAVISH LIFESTYLE

BECAUSE I WAS NO LONGER POOR.

POOR WAS HUMILIATING,

AND NOW I WAS ABLE TO LIVE

THIS GRAND, MAGNANIMOUS,
GAUDY LIFESTYLE,

AND THAT FELT LIKE
WHAT I HAD COMING.

Narrator:
IT'S BEEN ONE YEAR

SINCE LOYA WAS RELEASED
FROM THE STATE PRISON.

IN THAT TIME, HE'S GOT 14 BANK
ROBBERIES UNDER HIS BELT.

AUTHORITIES STILL HAVE NO IDEA
THAT JOE LOYA IS, IN FACT,

THE BEIRUT BANDIT.

THE REAL DIFFICULTY IN WORKING
THE BANK-ROBBERY MATTERS

IS INITIALLY IDENTIFYING
WHO THE INDIVIDUAL IS.

Narrator: ON THE MORNING
OF JANUARY 4, 1989,

LOYA WAKES UP WITH AN EPIPHANY.

HE DECIDES
HE'S READY FOR THE BIG TIME.

Loya:
I WOKE UP ONE MORNING,

READY TO TERRORIZE
SOME PEOPLE TODAY.

I LOOKED IN THE MIRROR,
AND I TELL MYSELF,

"DON'T RETURN TODAY
WITHOUT $50,000."

I WAS GOING THROUGH MONEY
SO FAST

THAT $10,000
WASN'T LASTING ME VERY LONG.

Narrator: ON THE WAY TO SCOUT
HIS NEXT TARGET,

LOYA GETS A FAMILIAR FEELING
IN HIS GUT.

ON THE WAY TO A BANK,
MY BODY WOULD GET SCARED.

MY MIND WAS STRONG,

BUT MY BODY
WOULD START TO PANIC.

I WOULD GET STOMACHACHES, AND
THAT'S HOW IT WOULD START FIRST.

SO, I WOULD HAVE THIS
CONVERSATION WITH MY BODY LIKE,

"ALL RIGHT, THINK ABOUT
ALL THE HUMILIATING THINGS

THAT HAPPENED TO YOU
WHEN YOU WERE A KID,"

AND I WOULD START THINKING
ABOUT MY DAD AND THE BULLIES.

SO, THERE WAS
THIS SORT OF GROUP OF MEMORIES

THAT WOULD INSTANTLY INCITE
MY RAGE,

AND MY RAGE
WOULD JUST SHOVE DOWN MY FEAR.

Narrator: HE ENTERS
THE SECURITY PACIFIC BANK

IN ORANGE COUNTY.

Rehder: HE APPROACHED
A SINGLE-VICTIM TELLER...

HI, HOW MAY I HELP YOU?

LISTEN, I HAVE A GUN.

...MADE HIS ORAL DEMAND
FOR CASH.

ONCE HE GOT TO HIS GETAWAY CAR,

I PRESUMED
HE MUST HAVE OPENED THE POUCH

AND DETERMINED
THAT HE GOT $3,800

AND THOUGHT
THAT WAS NOT ENOUGH MONEY

FOR HIM TO HAVE MADE THE TRIP
TO ORANGE COUNTY.

Narrator:
FRUSTRATED BY HIS SMALL TAKE,

LOYA HEADS TO ANOTHER BANK
IN A NEIGHBORING TOWN.

HE ENTERS THE CALIFORNIA
FEDERAL BANK IN TUSTIN.

HIS RAGE
HAS REACHED A BOILING POINT.

HE CAN'T THINK CLEARLY.

Rehder: HE WENT TO THE DESK
OF A FEMALE TELLER,

AND HE LEANED OVER THE DESK
AND TOLD HER

THAT HE WANTED TO HAVE HER
TAKE HIM TO THE BANK VAULT.

Narrator:
AS THEY WALK TO THE VAULT,

ANOTHER BANK EMPLOYEE WALKS BY.

LOYA ORDERS HER TO JOIN THEM.

Rehder: HE THEN DEMANDED
THAT THE VAULT GATE BE OPENED,

TOLD THEM HE'D BLOW
THEIR HEAD OFF IF THEY DIDN'T.

Narrator:
LOYA'S FURY IS OUT OF CONTROL.

GET IN THERE NOW.
COME ON.

GET ON THE GROUND.
GET IN THE GROUND!

HE THREATENS THE TWO WOMEN,

THEN HE DOES SOMETHING
HE'S NEVER DONE BEFORE.

AT THIS POINT,

HE THEN PLACED BOTH FEMALES
ON THEIR KNEES, FACING THE WALL,

AND TOLD THEM
TO PRAY TO THEIR GOD.

Narrator: JANUARY 4, 1989.

BANK ROBBER JOE LOYA IS GETTING
BOLDER AND MORE DANGEROUS.

HE'S GOING DIRECTLY
FOR THE VAULT,

AND FOR THE FIRST TIME,
HE'S HOLDING HOSTAGES...

...THREATENING TO KILL THEM.

Loya: THEY THINK
THAT I HAVE A BOMB THERE,

AND I'M JUST MENACING
THE HELL OUT OF THEM.

MY VIOLENCE
HAS SO COLLIDED WITH THEM,

THEY'RE BROKEN AT THIS POINT.

SO I TELL THEM
TO GO TO THE CORNER,

AND I MAKE THEM SIT
EXECUTION STYLE,

FACING THE WALL, HANDS
AT THE BACK OF THEIR HEADS,

AND I JUST STARTED
MENACING THEM.

Narrator:
LOYA TAUNTS THE TWO WOMEN.

HE TELLS THEM
TO KEEP PRAYING TO THEIR GOD.

Loya:
I WANTED TO MAKE PEOPLE PAY.

I WANTED TO HUMILIATE PEOPLE.

THAT WAS ONE OF THE THINGS
THAT DROVE ME WAS THIS RAGE.

Rehder:
HE SEEMED TO BE ONE

WHO WOULD ENJOY
THIS INFLICTION OF PAIN

AND POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS
ON OTHERS.

I SAW HIM AS BEING
A VERY, VERY VIOLENT PERSON.

Narrator: HE CONTINUES
TO THREATEN THE TWO WOMEN

AS HE STUFFS HIS BAG
WITH STACKS OF BILLS.

THEN HE CALMLY WALKS
OUT TO THE LOBBY...

...AND EXITS THE BANK.

Loya:
I WALKED OUT WITH THE MOST MONEY
I'D EVER MADE IN A BANK ROBBERY.

IT WAS $32,000 AND SOME CHANGE.

Narrator: FROM THIS POINT ON,

JOE LOYA BECOMES ADDICTED
TO GOING FOR THE BIG SCORE.

HE WAS TIRED OF MAKING 2,000,
3,000, 4,000, 5,000 BUCKS

ON THESE ONE-ON-ONE TELLER HITS.

HE WANTED MORE MONEY.

HE WASN'T ADDICTED TO DRUGS,
BUT HE WAS ADDICTED TO THE RUSH.

Narrator: AS LOYA CONTINUES HIS
DOUBLE LIFE AS A BANK ROBBER,

FBI AGENT WILLIAM REHDER
LEARNS ABOUT HIS LATEST ROBBERY.

Rehder: I'M THINKING
THIS HAS REALLY ESCALATED

FROM THE POINT OF WALKING IN

AND DOING A ONE-TELLER,
ONE-BANDIT ROBBERY.

Narrator:
AFTER ALMOST 20 BANK ROBBERIES,

AUTHORITIES ARE STILL UNABLE
TO IDENTIFY THE BEIRUT BANDIT.

REHDER IS CERTAIN

THAT HIS HIGH-QUALITY
SURVEILLANCE PHOTOS

COULD BE THE KEY
TO SOLVING THE CASE.

Rehder: IF WE WERE ABLE
TO GET THESE PUBLISHED

EITHER ON TELEVISION
OR IN THE PRINT MEDIA,

THAT WE WOULD GET
AN IDENTIFICATION

FROM SOMEONE WHO HAD MAYBE EVEN
A CASUAL ACQUAINTANCE WITH HIM,

BUT WOULD BE ABLE
TO GIVE US A NAME,

AND THAT'S REALLY WHAT WE WERE
LOOKING FOR AT THAT TIME.

WE NEEDED AN IDENTITY.

Narrator:
BY JANUARY 30, 1989,

LOYA'S ROBBED A TOTAL
OF 27 BANKS.

HE'S NOW HEADING HOME

AFTER HITTING UP
FOUR BANKS IN ONE DAY.

SUDDENLY,
TRAFFIC COMES TO A DEAD STOP.

Loya: I'M THINKING
THEY'VE STOPPED THE TRAFFIC.

THEY'RE LOOKING FOR A GUY

WHO JUST ROBBED FOUR BANKS
IN SAN DIEGO.

I HAVE A FANNY PACK
WITH ALL MY MONEY IN THE BACK.

I HAVE ALL MY OUTFITS
THAT ARE IN THE BACK.

I'M KIND OF PANICKING.

Narrator: LOYA HAS
OVER $30,000 IN HIS BAG.

HE KNOWS HE MUST FIND A DETOUR
IN ORDER TO AVOID THE ROADBLOCK.

AS HE PLANS
HIS GETAWAY STRATEGY,

AN INDICATOR LIGHT ON
HIS DASHBOARD BEGINS TO FLASH.

HIS CAR IS OVERHEATED.

LOYA NOW HAS NO CHOICE
BUT TO GET OUT OF THE CAR.

HE PULLS OVER TO THE SIDE
OF THE ROAD AND GRABS HIS BAG.

HE STARTS LOOKING
FOR A CALL BOX.

WHEN TRAFFIC STARTS MOVING
AGAIN, LOYA IS RELIEVED.

HE REALIZES THAT THE COPS
WERE DIVERTING TRAFFIC

BECAUSE OF A CAR ACCIDENT
UP AHEAD.

BUT AS HE WALKS
ALONG THE FREEWAY,

A HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICER
STOPS HIM.

LOYA KNOWS
HE NEEDS TO TURN ON THE CHARM.

HEY, OFFICERS,
HOW'S IT GOING?

Loya:
"WHERE YOU GOING?" THEY ASKED.

I'M JUST TRYING TO SHOW THEM
THAT I'M EXASPERATED

AND I'M JUST A YOUNG GUY,
I'M A GOOD CITIZEN.

I KNOW HOW TO PLAY THIS UP

BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND
PEOPLE'S CUES.

I WAS A FRAUD.
I KNOW HOW TO CON PEOPLE.

I TELL THEM
THAT MY CAR BROKE DOWN.

LET'S HAVE YOU JUMP IN THE BACK.
WE'LL GIVE YOU A RIDE.

AND THEY SAY,
"GET IN THE BACK SEAT."

SO I OPEN THE DOOR.
I HOP IN THE BACK.

Narrator: LOYA MAKES SMALL TALK
WITH THE OFFICER.

Loya: I GOT SOMETHING
OF A COLLEGIATE LOOK GOING ON,

AND SO I GET IN THERE,
SAID, "WHERE YOU COMING FROM?"

AND I SAY, "SAN DIEGO."

THEY SAY, "WHAT WERE YOU DOING
DOWN THERE?"

"I MET THIS WOMAN AT USC,

"AND I CAME DOWN HERE
FOR A COUPLE DAYS,

"BUT YOU KNOW WOMEN.

THEY GET ON YOUR ASS,
AND I JUST HAD TO COME BACK."

I STARTED DOING THIS SORT OF
LIKE "WOMEN -- YOU UNDERSTAND."

YOU KNOW.

Narrator: THE OFFICERS TAKE LOYA
TO THE NEAREST REST STOP.

Loya: SO, THEY LET ME OFF
AND ROLLED THE WINDOW DOWN.

"ALL RIGHT, MAN,
YOU TAKE CARE."

AND AS THEY LEAVE,

I HAVE THAT SAME FEELING AGAIN
LIKE -- OF LIKE SUPERIORITY.

LIKE, "YOU'RE A BUNCH
OF F'ing IDIOTS.

I FELT POWERFUL AT THAT POINT,

'CAUSE NOW THEY HAD ME
AND THEY JUST LET ME GO,

AND THEY HAD NO CLUE
THAT THEY HAD THE GUY

WHO JUST ROBBED FOUR BANKS
IN THEIR CITY.

Narrator: LOYA'S CLOSE
ENCOUNTERS WITH THE POLICE

DON'T SLOW HIM DOWN.

HE'S STILL HUNGRY FOR MORE.

BUT HIS LUCK
IS ABOUT TO RUN OUT.

ON FEBRUARY 27, 1989,

LOYA ROBS A BANK
IN CERRITOS, CALIFORNIA.

Loya:
I TAKE OFF, THINKING,

"THIS IS
AN EXCELLENT BANK ROBBERY.

I KNOW I GOT A LOT OF MONEY."

RIGHT WHEN I'M GETTING
TO THE FAST LANES,

THREE SHERIFF'S CARS
JUST ZIP PAST ME,

AND I SWEAR, I ALMOST HIT THEM.

Rehder: AT THIS POINT,

HE THOUGHT HE WAS IN THE CLEAR
AND HEADED FOR HOME.

Narrator:
LOYA'S CONFIDENT THAT HE'S SAFE.

Loya: I NO LONGER RESEMBLE
THE GUY WHO ROBBED THAT BANK.

I DON'T FEEL LIKE
I RESEMBLE HIM AT ALL.

I'M DRIVING A NICE CAR.

HOWEVER, HE HAD
THE WINDOW PARTIALLY DOWN,

AND HE WAS ABLE TO HEAR
A HELICOPTER.

Narrator:
A HELICOPTER HOVERS ABOVE LOYA.

THEN, A SEA OF COP CARS
LINE UP BEHIND HIM.

Loya: AS I'M DRIVING,

THIS ONE COP CAR
PULLS OVER TO MY LEFT,

AND HE LOOKS AT ME,
AND THEN HE PULLS BACK.

THEN THIS OTHER CAR
PULLS UP ON MY RIGHT.

HE LOOKS AT ME,
AND HE PULLS BACK.

AND THEN THEY DO A FELONY STOP.

LIGHTS ALL GO ON.

AND NOW I REALIZE

THEY HAVE IDENTIFIED
THAT I'M THE GUY.

Narrator: LOYA KNOWS THIS COULD
BE THE END OF HIS RUN.

BUT HE HAS NO INTENTION
OF GIVING UP.

Narrator: FEBRUARY 27, 1989.

JOE LOYA'S 13-MONTH
BANK-ROBBERY SPREE

IS ABOUT TO COME TO AN END.

WHILE DRIVING AWAY
FROM HIS LATEST HEIST,

HE'S SUDDENLY SURROUNDED
BY PATROL CARS

AND A HELICOPTER
FLYING DIRECTLY ABOVE HIM.

HEY, PULL OVER.

IT'S A FELONY STOP.

Rehder:
HE LOOKED IN HIS REARVIEW MIRROR

AND SAW AT LEAST
FOUR TO FIVE PATROL UNITS

WITH THE RED LIGHTS FLASHING,

AND THEY CAME UP ON HIM
VERY QUICKLY FROM BEHIND.

AND THIS WAS GOING TO BE
THE END OF THE ROAD.

Narrator: LOYA PULLS OVER.

HE FIGURES THE COPS HAVE NO WAY
OF KNOWING WHO HE IS.

THEY MUST BE STOPPING HIM
FOR SOME OTHER REASON.

I'M UPSET, SO I THINK,
"YOU KNOW WHAT?

"THIS IS A FALSE STOP.

THERE'S NOTHING ABOUT ME THAT
SAYS THEY SHOULD PULL ME OVER."

Narrator: OFFICERS AIM
THEIR WEAPONS AT LOYA.

A COP ORDERS LOYA TO EXIT
THE CAR AND LAY ON HIS STOMACH.

[ OFFICERS
SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY ]

Loya: BUT IMMEDIATELY,
I START YELLING,

"WHY'D YOU STOP ME?"

I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING.

AND I KEEP YELLING,
"WHY'D YOU STOP?"

'CAUSE I'M GONNA FIGHT THIS
IN COURT.

THIS IS A FALSE STOP
AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED.

IT'S AGAINST THE LAW.

Narrator: AS SOON AS LOYA LIES
ON THE GROUND,

TWO COPS IMMEDIATELY RUSH HIM.

Loya:
ONE HAD HIS KNEE ON MY BACK.

THERE'S GUNS ON ME.

ONE GUY'S LEANING ON MY ANKLE.

THEY GOT IT SO I CAN'T MOVE,
OBVIOUSLY.

Narrator: ANOTHER OFFICER
REACHES INTO LOYA'S TRUNK.

HE PULLS OUT THE BAG OF MONEY.

GOT IT.
Loya: AND I'M THINKING,

"MAN, HOW THE HELL
THEY KNOW ABOUT THE MONEY?"

AND HE'S HOLDING IT
LIKE A PRIZE FISH.

THE BEIRUT BANDIT IS A VICTIM

OF A NEW PIECE
OF BANK TECHNOLOGY --

THE TRACKER PACK.

Rehder:
A STACK OF BILLS, THE CENTER
OF WHICH HAS BEEN CORED OUT,

AND A SMALL ELECTRONIC
TRANSMITTER

HAS BEEN PLACED THEREIN,

AND ONCE IT LEAVES
THE FRONT DOOR OF THE BANK,

IT STARTS TO EMIT A SIGNAL.

AND THIS SIGNAL
CAN THEN BE PICKED UP

IN THE RECEIVING UNITS OF
THE POLICE CRUISERS IN THE AREA,

THE HELICOPTER,

AND ALSO AT
THE COMMUNICATION CENTER

AT THE LAKEWOOD
SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.

IT JUST SO HAPPENED

THAT JOE LOYA PICKED
THE WRONG BANK TO ROB

AND GOT AHOLD
OF THE TRACKER PACK,

AND THE TECHNOLOGY
WORKED FLAWLESSLY.

Narrator: THE FBI BRINGS IN
AGENT KEITH CORDES

SINCE THE LATEST ROBBERY
FALLS IN HIS JURISDICTION.

Cordes: BILL REHDER,

WHO IS THE BANK-ROBBERY
COORDINATOR IN LOS ANGELES,

CALLS ME AND SAID, "DO YOU KNOW
WHO YOU HAVE THERE?"

IT'S JOE LOYA.

JOE LOYA IS THE BEIRUT BANDIT.

Narrator:
LOYA IS BROUGHT TO THE STATION

WHERE CORDES IS WAITING
TO QUESTION HIM.

INSIDE THE INTERROGATION ROOM,

LOYA COMES UP
WITH A PHONY STORY.

HE'S NOT QUITE READY
TO GIVE UP HIS FREEDOM.

JOE LOYA.

Loya:
I TELL THEM, YOU KNOW,

"I WAS PARKED IN THE PARKING
LOT, AND I FORGOT MY WALLET.

"I TURN AROUND, I COME BACK,
AND THIS GUY RUNS BY MY CAR,

"AND HE THROWS THIS BAG
INTO MY CAR.

"SO, I DRIVE AWAY
WITH THE MONEY,

"AND THE NEXT THING I KNOW,
A FELONY STOP, YOU KNOW?

I DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS BAD MONEY."

Narrator:
CORDES DOESN'T BUY HIS STORY.

THE BANK SURVEILLANCE
PHOTOGRAPHS ARE A MATCH.

HE KNOWS THEY'VE FINALLY CAUGHT
THEIR MAN.

YET CORDES IS INTRIGUED.

LOYA DOESN'T SEEM TO BE
THE TYPICAL CRIMINAL.

Cordes:
HE WAS VERY CLEAN-CUT.

JOE'S VERY ARTICULATE.

HE DOESN'T FIT THE MOLD
OF THE AVERAGE BANK ROBBER

WHO IS USUALLY A DRUG ADDICT.

YOU CAN DO
WHATEVER YOU WANT TO DO.

THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT JOE
THAT STRUCK A CHORD WITH ME

THAT ALLOWED ME TO SPEAK TO HIM
IN A DIFFERENT MANNER.

Narrator:
CORDES TELLS THE STATE ATTORNEY

THAT LOYA SHOULD NOT BE
CONSIDERED A FLIGHT RISK.

HIS BAIL IS SET AT JUST $50,000.

HOW'S IT GOING?
JOE LOYA.

I'M HERE
TO PICK UP MY STUFF.

HIS AUNT PUTS HER HOME UP
AS COLLATERAL.

LOYA'S NOW OUT ON BAIL,
AWAITING HIS TRIAL.

Cordes:
MY PARTNER AND I WALKED OUT,

AND, "WELL, THAT'S IT.

THAT'S THE LAST WE'LL EVER SEE
OF JOE STEVE LOYA JR."

NOPE.

Narrator:
LOYA'S FRIENDS AND FAMILY
ARE SHOCKED AT THE NEWS.

Heffron: I HAD NO IDEA
HE WAS DOING ANYTHING CRIMINAL.

I KNEW HE PLAYED GOLF A LOT.

HE SEEMED LIKE A NORMAL PERSON
WHO LAUGHED REALLY LOUDLY.

I THINK PEOPLE DO THESE THINGS

ALL THE TIME
REPEATEDLY IN THEIR LIVES

TRYING TO FIND A WAY TO MAKE
THEMSELVES FEEL BETTER,

AND IT JUST DOESN'T WORK.

Narrator: THREE WEEKS LATER,
AGENT REHDER IS LOOKING THROUGH

SOME RECENT
BANK-SURVEILLANCE PHOTOS

WHEN HE SEES SOMETHING SHOCKING.

JOE LOYA HAS VIOLATED HIS BAIL
AND IS BACK ROBBING BANKS.

Rehder: HE IN NO WAY HAD CHANGED
HIS PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION.

I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT
HE WAS AS ARROGANT AS HE WAS

AND THOUGHT THAT HE COULD
GET AWAY WITH THIS.

IMMEDIATELY AFTER
THE FIRST ROBBERY,

I NOTIFIED AGENT CORDES

THAT LOYA NOT ONLY
WAS BACK ON THE STREET,

BUT THAT HE WAS BACK
ROBBING BANKS.

WHAT?

Narrator:
WHEN CORDES HEARS THIS NEWS,

HE CAN'T BELIEVE
HE'S BEEN DOUBLE-CROSSED.

Cordes: WHEN I GOT THE CALL
FROM BILL REHDER

THAT JOE WAS ROBBING AGAIN,
I WAS VERY SURPRISED.

I DIDN'T SEE THAT COMING.

I WAS BLINDSIDED,

FELT BETRAYED
THAT PEOPLE HAD TRUSTED IN HIM,

AND THEN HE HAD NO REGARD
FOR THAT.

I'M THE KIND OF PERSON
THAT IF GIVEN A SECOND CHANCE

OR YOU STOOD UP FOR SOMEBODY,

THEN YOU DON'T GO
AND SPIT IN THEIR FACE.

Rehder:
I THINK AT THIS POINT IN TIME,

IT WAS APPARENT THAT LOYA
HAD PROVEN HIMSELF TO BE

THE TRUE DEFINITION
OF A SOCIOPATH,

AND THAT IS ONE WHO FEELS

THAT HE IS THE COMPLETE CENTER
OF HIS OWN UNIVERSE,

TO THE DETRIMENT
OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS

AND EVEN TO HIMSELF.

Narrator: FOR LOYA,
BANK ROBBERY IS A COMPULSION,

AN OBSESSION HE CAN'T GIVE UP.

Loya: WELL, YOU KNOW, ONE,
I'M A CRIMINAL.

I HAD NO SKILLS

AT BEING ANYTHING OTHER THAN
A GUY WHO WAS ANGRY.

I MEAN, THIS IS WHAT I KNEW,
YOU KNOW?

I WASN'T A DOPE FIEND,
BUT I WAS A FIEND.

I WAS A CRIME FIEND.

Rehder: HE FOUND A BANK ROBBERY
TO BE A GREAT THRILL.

HE WAS STIMULATED
BY THIS ACTIVITY,

AND, OF COURSE, IT PROVIDED
STACKS OF MONEY TO HIM,

WHICH HE USED TO BUY A NEW CAR,
NEW CLOTHES,

AND TO HAVE
A HOST OF GIRLFRIENDS.

I MEAN,
HE WAS LIVING THE HIGH LIFE.

Narrator: LOYA REALIZES NOW
THE RISK IS MUCH GREATER.

HE'S ALREADY BEEN CAUGHT,

AND AUTHORITIES NOW KNOW
WHO HE IS.

HE NEEDS TO BE EXTRA CAREFUL.

Loya:
HELICOPTERS SCARED ME.

I DEFINITELY FELT LIKE,
YOU KNOW, SOMEBODY'S AFTER ME --

SOMEBODY'S DEFINITELY AFTER ME.

THEY CAN MAKE A TON OF MISTAKES
FINDING ME.

I CAN'T MAKE ONE.

AND SO THERE WAS ALWAYS,

"DID I MAKE THAT ONE?
DID I MAKE THAT ONE MISTAKE?"

Narrator: CORDES SCOUTS ANYPLACE
WHERE LOYA MIGHT BE HIDING OUT.

HE GOES TO THE RESTAURANT
WHERE HE WORKED.

HE VISITS LOYA'S OLD APARTMENT.

HE EVEN CHECKS OUT
LOCAL GOLF COURSES IN THE AREA.

BUT LOYA IS NOWHERE TO BE FOUND.

Cordes: YOU GO TO PLACES,
YOU TALK TO PEOPLE,

THEY GIVE YOU IDEAS,

THEY GIVE YOU OTHER NAMES
OF OTHER PEOPLE.

WELL, IT'S FRUSTRATING.

Narrator: FINALLY, CORDES
TRACKS DOWN LOYA'S GIRLFRIEND.

SEE, I CAN TELL YOU'RE
HOLDING BACK A LITTLE BIT.

AT FIRST,
SHE'S RELUCTANT TO COOPERATE.

THEN, CORDES MAKES
ONE LAST PUSH.

Cordes: THERE'S A WARRANT
FOR HIS ARREST,

AND IF HE GETS PULLED OVER
BY A LOCAL P.D.

IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT,

THEY'RE NOT LOOKING
AT JOE STEVE LOYA,

THE PRETTY GOOD GUY.

THEY'RE LOOKING AT HIM AS
AN ARMED FELON, A BANK ROBBER,

AND NO TELLING
WHAT WOULD HAPPEN.

Narrator: LOYA'S GIRLFRIEND
FINALLY AGREES TO COOPERATE.

SHE TELLS CORDES
THAT SHE HAS PLANS TO MEET LOYA

AT THE UCLA CAMPUS
THE FOLLOWING WEEK.

LOYA WANTS
TO GIVE HER SOME MONEY

BEFORE HE FLEES TO MEXICO.

I KNOW IT'S HARD.

ONCE WE KNEW
EXACTLY THE TIME AND THE PLACE,

WE PUT TOGETHER
A TEAM OF YOUNGER AGENTS

WHO COULD STAND
ON THE UCLA CAMPUS,

LOOK LIKE A UCLA STUDENT.

Narrator: ON MAY 12, 1989,

SEVEN UNDERCOVER AGENTS

ARE POSITIONED
AROUND THE UCLA CAMPUS.

THEY SPOT A YOUNG MAN SITTING
DOWN IN THE STUDENT QUAD.

HE'S SIPPING A CAPPUCCINO,
READING THE NEW YORK TIMES.

THEY THINK
THIS COULD BE THEIR MAN.

JOE. JOE LOYA?

I GIVE MYSELF AWAY,
BECAUSE I'M LIKE, "WHO'S THAT?"

AND I TURN, AND I DON'T
RECOGNIZE THIS YOUNG GUY.

Narrator: THE COPS
HAVE FINALLY FOUND LOYA,

AND THIS TIME,
HE'S SURROUNDED BY AGENTS.

Narrator: MAY 12, 1989.

SERIAL BANK ROBBER JOE LOYA

IS SITTING AT A CAFE
ON THE UCLA CAMPUS.

HE HAS NO IDEA THAT IT'S A SETUP

AND UNDERCOVER AGENTS
ARE WAITING TO ARREST HIM.

WHEN LOYA HEARS SOMEONE
CALL HIS NAME, HE TURNS AROUND.

JOE. JOE LOYA?

A YOUNG UNDERCOVER AGENT
QUICKLY GRABS HIS ARM.

HEY, COME HERE.

BUT LOYA WON'T GO DOWN EASY.

ANOTHER AGENT STEPS IN
TO HELP RESTRAIN HIM.

HE WAS GRABBED
BY A FEMALE AGENT.

HE GRAPPLED WITH HER
AND THREW HER TO THE GROUND.

HE WASN'T OBVIOUSLY
GONNA GO QUIETLY.

Narrator: THE FIRST AGENT
JUMPS ON TOP OF LOYA,

BUT LOYA FIGHTS BACK.

Loya:
AND I'M JUST POUNDING ON HIM.

I'M POUNDING ON HIM.

AND I'M THINKING, "AS SOON AS
I HIT THE ONE GOING DOWNSTAIRS,

"I'M GONNA GO UP THE BACK,
I'M GONNA GO UP THE STAIRS,

I'M GONNA CLIMB OUT A" --
I MEAN, I'M ALREADY, LIKE --

I KNOW HOW TO GET AWAY.

Narrator: BEFORE LOYA
HAS A CHANCE TO GET AWAY,

THE REST OF THE AGENTS CLOSE IN.

Loya:
ALL OF A SUDDEN, I CAN'T MOVE.

ALL THESE GUYS RUSHED ME.

I CAN'T MOVE.

AND ALL OF A SUDDEN,
I HEAR, "CLICK, CLICK."

STAY ON THE GROUND!

Narrator: AFTER 15 MONTHS,
LOYA'S RUN IS FINALLY OVER.

OKAY, COME ON.

HE'S TAKEN
TO THE CAMPUS POLICE DEPARTMENT,

WHERE HE COMES FACE-TO-FACE
WITH AGENT KEITH CORDES.

Cordes: THEY BROUGHT HIM
TO THE UCLA POLICE DEPARTMENT,

WHERE I WAS WAITING FOR HIM.

AND HE WAS NOT VERY HAPPY.

HE WAS VERY ANGRY,
AND I WAS ANGRY.

Loya: WELL, I'M THINKING,

"I'M NOT GETTING BAIL AGAIN,
YOU KNOW?

I'M NOT -- THEY HAVE ME.
I'M GONNA GO DO TIME."

THIS WAS IT.

MY RUN WAS UP.

Narrator:
ON THE WAY TO THE COURTHOUSE,

LOYA AND CORDES HAVE
ANOTHER SERIOUS CONVERSATION.

Cordes: ON THAT RIDE
BACK DOWNTOWN FROM UCLA,

I TOLD HIM THAT EVEN THOUGH
HE HAD GONE BACK OUT AND ROBBED,

GOT HIS BAIL REVOKED,

ALMOST HAD HIS AUNT AND UNCLE
LOSE THEIR HOUSE,

THAT, "YOU'RE STILL REDEEMABLE."

I SAID, "LOOK,
YOU'RE GONNA GET MORE TIME NOW,

BUT WHEN YOU GET OUT,
YOU STILL CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE."

I'M NOT SURE WHY I DID THAT,
BUT I DID.

Narrator: AT THE ARRAIGNMENT,
LOYA IS CHARGED

WITH ONLY 10 OF THE 31 ROBBERIES
IDENTIFIED BY THE FBI.

THE REAL COUNT --

CLOSE TO 40 BANK ROBBERIES

AND AN ESTIMATED $250,000
IN CASH.

LOYA PLEADS GUILTY
TO THREE ROBBERIES.

HIS FINAL SENTENCE IS 8œ YEARS
IN A FEDERAL PENITENTIARY.

Rehder: I THINK HE MORE THAN
DESERVED THAT TIME IN PRISON.

IN FACT, I THINK
HE GOT OFF FAIRLY LENIENTLY.

AN 8-YEAR SENTENCE
WITH 5 YEARS OF PROBATION

FOR HAVING DONE
25 BANK ROBBERIES

IN THE LOS ANGELES DIVISION

AND 6 BANK ROBBERIES
IN SAN DIEGO

WAS A FAIRLY LIGHT SENTENCE.

Cordes: EIGHT YEARS WAS
SUFFICIENT FOR WHAT HE DID.

THAT'S A PRETTY GOOD CHUNK
OF YOUR LIFE.

JOE COULD TURN AROUND HIS LIFE
WHEN ALL THIS WAS DONE.

Narrator:
CORDES' INSTINCTS ARE RIGHT.

LOYA SPENDS SEVEN YEARS
AT LOMPOC PENITENTIARY.

IN 1996,
HE'S RELEASED FROM PRISON,

AND HE VOWS
TO TURN HIS LIFE AROUND.

TODAY, HE MAKES HIS LIVING
AS A WRITER

AND WORKS FOR AN ORGANIZATION

THAT HELPS ADDICTS
CHANGE THEIR LIVES.

Loya: PEOPLE CHANGE, MAN.

AND SO, SOMEBODY WHO SAYS
WE DON'T CHANGE --

THEY HAVE THE MOST SIMPLISTIC
KNOWLEDGE OF US AS HUMAN BEINGS,

OUR CAPACITY AS HUMAN BEINGS.

LOYA HAS ALSO RECONNECTED
WITH HIS FATHER.

I NEVER BLAMED MY FATHER.

THAT'S ONE THING
HE ADMIRES ABOUT ME.

I BLAME MY FATHER
FOR PUNCHING ME IN THE FACE

AND CHANGING MY IMAGINATION
ABOUT WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE

TO PUNCH SOMEBODY ELSE
IN THE FACE.

BUT IN TERMS OF BANK ROBBERY...

...THAT WAS JUST ME HAVING

A PARTICULAR SORT
OF MASSIVE CONFUSION

AND DESPERATION AND INSECURITIES
ALL ROLLED INTO ONE.

Narrator:
THE INVESTIGATORS WHO CHASED HIM

HAVE PROFOUNDLY DIFFERENT VIEWS

ON WHETHER LOYA
HAS TRULY FOUND REDEMPTION.

Cordes: JOE'S A PRODUCTIVE
CITIZEN, MARRIED, A FATHER,

BACK WITH HIS DAD
AND HIS FAMILY,

AND LIFE IS NORMAL,

AND I HAD SOMETHING
TO DO WITH THAT.

TOOK A WHILE.

IT TOOK SEVEN YEARS
IN A FEDERAL PENITENTIARY,

BUT SOMEWHERE
THAT LIGHT CAME ON.

Rehder: HE WAS A SOCIOPATH WHO
ENJOYED DOING BANK ROBBERIES,

AND HE ENJOYED THE MONEY THAT
IT WAS ABLE TO BRING TO HIM.

Narrator: ALTHOUGH LOYA
ALMOST GOT AWAY WITH IT,

HE FOUND OUT THE HARD WAY

THAT THERE'S NO SUCH THING
AS EASY MONEY.