Bank robbery suspects arrested

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Matthew Gonzales, left, and Richard Little

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It took Clovis police barely more than 24 hours to hunt down, arrest and charge two men with Tuesday’s daring daylight armed robbery of U.S. Bank on north Prince Street.

The two, Matthew Gonzales, 25, and Richard Little, 59, both of Clovis, were in Curry County jail by Wednesday afternoon, busted by a combination of anonymous tips from the community and an observant officer, according to accounts provided in a press release from police spokesman Capt. Patrick Whitney.

Gonzales is accused of being the gunman who burst into the bank about 9:30 a.m. and stuck a gun in one customer’s face, then robbed clerks of an undisclosed amount of cash. Little is accused of driving the getaway car and splitting the money with Gonzales, who was barely out of jail on shoplifting charges.

Chief Steve Sanders said the arrests are the only ones expected.

Whitney said officers following up on several tips Tuesday evening wound up at Little’s home at 217 Redwood St. Officers discovered several hundred dollars of marked stolen money from U.S. Bank in Little’s home, according to police. A two-toned semi-automatic pistol matching the gun used in the bank robbery was also recovered in Little’s residence, according to police.

Then about 10 a.m. Wednesday, Officer Russ Gould spotted Gonzales the accused gunman, walking at Seventh and Cameo streets.

Gonzales agreed to be questioned by Clovis police detectives and made a full confession, according to Whitney. Gonzales also implicated Little as a co-conspirator in the robbery as well by driving the getaway car and profiting from the robbery by counting and keeping some of the stolen money, police said.

Gonzales, released from Curry County jail Oct. 6 after making bond on shoplifting charges, was returned to jail Wednesday afternoon on a slew of felony charges, including armed robbery, aggravated assault, conspiracy to commit armed robbery and tampering with evidence. His bond is set at $50,000 cash.

Little is charged with conspiracy to commit armed robbery, accessory to armed robbery, tampering with evidence and receiving stolen property. His bond is $25,000 cash.