New York Man Started Serial Spree in Tucson Two Days After Completing 12-Year Sentence for Bank Heists

TUCSON, AZ—Joseph Diaz, 53, of New York, New York, was sentenced here today by U.S. District Judge Raner C. Collins to 52.5 years in prison. Diaz pleaded guilty to the indictment charging him with seven separate counts of bank robbery.

On October 17, 2008, two days after being released from prison, Diaz committed the first of seven bank robberies in Tucson. Diaz had been released from prison after serving a 12.5-year sentence for five prior bank robberies in the Los Angeles area, which was his second stint in prison for bank robberies dating back to the 1980s. After the first robbery in Tucson, Diaz proceeded to commit six more bank robberies, the last one on December 8, 2008. During each of the robberies, Diaz used intimidation by presenting a demand note and verbally demanding money from the tellers.

“Mr. Diaz didn’t learn his lesson after serving time twice for bank robbery,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona Dennis K. Burke. “Now he'll have a half-century to think about it, and meanwhile will no longer be a threat to society. We want to thank the law enforcement agencies who participated in the investigation, and the brave citizens who provided information to police that helped nab him.”

Two bank customers witnessed the last robbery and attempted to capture Diaz. One, an off-duty firefighter, tried to smash through the passenger windshield of his getaway car, while another customer dialed 911. Diaz was able to elude the customers, but they were able to provide the police with a description and license number of the vehicle Diaz was driving. Tucson Police officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop but Diaz refused to yield, fled from law enforcement, and lead the officers on a high speed chase through the city streets of Tucson. Diaz eventually lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the front yard of a residence. The amount taken by Diaz during the seven bank robberies totaled $20,597.

The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Tucson Police Department, and Pima County Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution was handled by Liza M. Granoff, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Tucson.

CASE NUMBER: CR-09-0060-TUC-RCC
RELEASE NUMBER: 2010-032(Diaz)

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