DOJ charges California man in bank hostage situation one day after prison release

A 53-year-old Californian landed in hot water after an alleged bank robbery and taking three people hostage at Anaheim bank just hours after walking free from San Quentin State Prison, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Eric Walter Gray now faces one count of bank robbery and one count of forced accompaniment. Court records reveal that on May 8th, Eric Walter Gray purportedly struck at a BMO branch in Anaheim, displaying reckless disregard for the law and human life by holding up the bank less than a day after his release from state custody.

Prosecutors allege Gray had been loitering around the bank premises for a while before suddenly vaulting over the teller counter, flashing what he claimed was a firearm, and demanding that the terrified staff hand over cash. He was given an undisclosed cash amount from the teller drawers, which he pocketed.

After taking the money, Gray allegedly ordered the bank manager and two employees into a storage room inside the bank. The two employees were eventually let go, but the manager was held hostage for about an hour.

At least one bank employee managed to contact law enforcement during the robbery. Gray was arrested without incident after exiting the storage room with the hostage bank manager, Anaheim police said at the time.

"One day after his release from prison, this defendant chose to return to crime by taking three victims hostage while he robbed a bank," said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada, according to Fox News. "My office will prosecute violent recidivist criminals who harm our community."

According to the DOJ, Gray was taken to a hospital where he allegedly tried to escape multiple times and fought with officers, injuring several. Court documents state that law enforcement found cash and narcotics "hidden inside Gray's body."

"The victims dealt with fear and death threats while held hostage until rescued, thanks to courageous bank employees notifying police," said Krysti Hawkins, Acting Assistant Director of the FBI's LA Office. "He will be held accountable."

The Orange County District Attorney initially filed charges against Gray for the bank robbery but later dropped them to allow the federal case to proceed.

Jailed without bond, Gray will be arraigned in the U.S. District Court in Santa Ana on June 24th. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum 10-year federal prison sentence and a maximum of 20 years.