Suspected bank robber arrested after chase in Temecula

A 54-year-old woman suspected of robbing a bank inTemecula was behind bars today after her arrest at the end of a high-speedchase, authorities said.

Linda Marie Gothan of Wildomar is suspected of walking into the U.S.Bank branch in the 29500 block of Ynez Road wearing sunglasses and a wig,handing a teller a note demanding money and then fleeing on foot with anundisclosed sum, said Riverside County sheriff’s Sgt. Kevin McDonald.

A witness provided a description of a possible getaway vehicle, whichdeputies located as it headed south on Ynez Road from Rancho California Roadwith two people inside, McDonald said. Deputies tried to pull the vehicle over,but it continued south on Ynez at a high rate of speed, he said.

The vehicle crashed and rolled over at the intersection of Ynez and LaPaz roads, at which point a male tried to crawl out out and run away, McDonaldsaid.

A service dog was used to take him into custody, he said, adding thatthe suspect was taken to a hospital, where he was admitted for treatment of dogbites and minor crash-related injuries.

The man’s possible role in the bank robbery was under investigation,McDonald said.

Gothan, meanwhile, was taken into custody without incident and sent to ahospital for treatment of minor injuries suffered in the crash, he said.

She was later booked into the Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta onsuspicion of robbery and was being held in lieu of $100,000 bail with a courtdate set for Friday in Murrieta, according to the sheriff’s department.

Anyone with information about the robbery was urged to contact the caseinvestigator at (951) 696-3000.