Banning, Hemet Bank Robberies Lead To Cathedral City Arrest

BANNING, CA — A man wanted in connection with Banning and Hemet bank robberies has been arrested, authorities announced.

Aaron Sterling Gefrerer, 42, was arrested in Cathedral City late Saturday night. He was booked into Banning's Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility on suspicion of robbery and was being held in lieu of $35,000 bail, jail records showed.

Gefrerer's arrest followed an investigation by Banning police into a bank robbery at the U.S. Bank at 300 S. Highland Springs Avenue.

According to Banning police, around 10:40 a.m. Saturday a man walked into the branch with a note demanding money while concealing his other hand as if he was armed.

A teller complied with the note, and the suspect then fled in a blue Mini Cooper, according to police.

As Banning police investigated the robbery, Hemet Police Department detectives advised they had a similar bank robbery on April 28, 2021, and their suspect matched the description of the Banning robber, according to Banning police.

Banning, Hemet, and Cathedral City police worked together to identify Gefrerer as the suspect and made the arrest, Banning police said.

Police did not say how much money was stolen during the alleged bank robberies.