Suspect in Palm Desert bank robberies pleads not guilty

Felony charges were filed against a 59-year-old man wanted in connection with two Palm Desert bank robberies.   

Anaheim resident Reese Westenberger was charged with one count of robbery, for which he pled not guilty Friday at the Larson Justice Center in Indio.

Westenberger is only charged with one of the two bank robberies, the one at the US Bank on July 11.

During the July 11 bank robbery, investigators learned upon further investigation that the suspect entered the bank and approached a teller at the counter, demanding money.   

"The suspect did not produce a weapon or indicate he was armed," sheriff's officials said in a statement.

According to sheriff's officials, the suspect, later identified as Westenberger, ran from the bank in an unknown direction after the robbery.

Westenberger was also linked to a bank robbery on June 24 in the 72000 block of Highway 111, which is under an ongoing investigation, sheriff's officials said.

As of Friday afternoon, Westenberger has not been charged in connection with the June 24 robbery. There was no word as to why he was not charged in this case.

He was booked Tuesday in the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility on suspicion of robbery.

Anyone with information regarding the robberies was urged to call Investigator Villasenor of the Palm Desert Sheriff's Station at 760-836-1600.