Police: Ex-cop’s training paid off in 4 Northern California armored car heists
By APThursday, August 27, 2009
Ex-cop’s training paid off in California heists
SANTA ROSA, Calif. — Police say a former Santa Rosa officer used his law enforcement experience to pull off four armored car holdups in Sonoma and Marin counties.
Robert Stephen Starling was charged Wednesday with armed robbery and other felonies stemming from the yearlong series of robberies that allegedly netted him and an accomplice $400,000.
The 35-year-old Santa Rosa resident spent 5½ years working for the city and Sonoma State University police departments. Police say he also worked briefly as an armored car carrier.
Sgt. Steve Fraga says investigators had suspected the robbers had law enforcement training because they placed bogus crime calls before holdups to divert police.
Starling is being held on $1 million bail and has not entered a plea.
Information from: The Press Democrat, www.pressdemo.com
