February 11, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Santa Monica Bank Robber – AKA “Rolled-Sleeves Bandit” – Gets FIve Years Prison:

Updated Monday, June 29 – 11:40 am

A former Newport Beach dentist dubbed the “rolled-sleeves bandit” was sentenced today to five years in federal prison for the theft of more than $21,000 from seven banks on the Southern California coast.

Damian Newhart, 41, was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release after his release from prison and pay restitution of about $21,000, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Kendall.

Newhart pleaded guilty to three bank robbery counts, and admitted to four others as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors.    

Newhart was arrested in January at an Inglewood dental office after he was recognized from security video the FBI distributed via local media.

His dental license was revoked in 2014 after it was determined that he wrote bogus prescriptions for painkillers and other drugs for his own use, court papers show.

Newhart got his nickname based on the button-down shirts he wore with the sleeves rolled up during the heists, according to the FBI.

In the holdups, which took place between last November and January, he usually distracted tellers by saying he was a signatory on his girlfriend’s bank account and asking for verification of that information. He then demanded cash verbally or with a note, saying he had a gun, prosecutors said.

Newhart admitted robbing four banks in Huntington Beach, and others in Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach and Santa Monica. He was on probation in Orange County at the time of his arrest.

Newhart was previously convicted of grand theft and passing bad checks, as well as prescribing controlled substances to patients and non-patients — including himself — for other than legitimate medical purposes.

According to a pre-sentencing brief, Newhart began abusing Vicodin in 2007 or 2008, when he owned his dental practice and his marriage was on the ropes. In 2010, he began abusing cocaine, spending hundreds of dollars per day to maintain his habit, while continuing to take Vicodin.

His addictions became so bad that he stopped practicing dentistry in October 2012 and checked into a residential drug treatment facility for about three months, federal prosecutors wrote.

In January 2013, Newhart left the facility and stayed clean for about a year. However, he subsequently relapsed, and started drinking and using the opiate painkiller Norco, according to the document.

When his divorce was finalized last July, and the state Dental Board revoked his license to practice, Newhart stopped attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and began using painkillers heavily, buying Norco from street dealers in Inglewood, prosecutors said.

Federal prosecutors wrote in court papers that Newhart had “demonstrated extraordinary acceptance of responsibility for his criminal conduct by signing a plea agreement within 30 days of his arrest.”

in News
<>Related Posts

 (Video) Beaten Dead Body Found on Santa Monica Shore

February 11, 2025

February 11, 2025

The Victim Was Pronounced Dead at the Scene The Victim Was Pronounced Dead at the Scene. pic.twitter.com/88huU3goOO — Santa Monica...

Worker Relief Fund Launched for Those Impacted by Palisades Fire

February 11, 2025

February 11, 2025

In addition to direct relief, the county is seeking donations for the fund Los Angeles County has launched the LA...

How Much Have Palisades Property Values Slipped After the Fire?

February 11, 2025

February 11, 2025

Property prices drop as sellers and buyers remain at odds in post-fire market Property values in Pacific Palisades have taken...

Retailers Impose Purchase Restrictions as Supply Chain Disruptions Cause Concern

February 10, 2025

February 10, 2025

Egg Limits Are Back – What’s Causing the Shortage? Retailers across the United States, including Costco and Trader Joe’s, have...

Community Protest and Petition Against Controversial EPA Plan For Hazardous Waste Site

February 10, 2025

February 10, 2025

CD 11 City Councilmember Park to Hold Community Town Hall on Will Rogers Site Protesters marched against the Environmental Protection...

New Bill Targets Crime in Disaster Zones – Here’s What You Need to Know

February 10, 2025

February 10, 2025

Lawmakers Push for Tougher Penalties To Protect Vulnerable Communities California lawmakers have introduced a bipartisan bill aimed at cracking down...

Mysterious Death Near Santa Monica Shoreline, Police Investigating

February 10, 2025

February 10, 2025

SMPD Seeks Information About Victim With Facial Trauma  The Santa Monica Police Department is investigating the death of a woman...

Burned Palisades Lot Sells for Nearly $1M: REPORT

February 10, 2025

February 10, 2025

Aerial images show the property was among several homes in the neighborhood destroyed by the fire A vacant lot in...

Palisades Symphony to Host Benefit Concert to Support Displaced Musicians

February 10, 2025

February 10, 2025

Several members of the Palisades Symphony lost their homes in the fires, making this concert a deeply personal effort The...

What about are you protected from future wildfires?

February 9, 2025

February 9, 2025

Our hearts go out to all those impacted by the recent wildfires and Santa Ana windstorms in Southern California. We...

Shore Hotel Remains Sustainability Leader

February 9, 2025

February 9, 2025

By Susan Payne On track to open its new coastal-inspired restaurant, Shore Hotel has excited new offerings and initiatives this...

Rescheduled 2024 Homeless Count Needs More Volunteers on the Westside

February 9, 2025

February 9, 2025

Not Enough Volunteers to Successfully Count Unhoused Angelenos This Year With the rescheduled dates for the 2025 Greater Los Angeles...

Student Protest Over Immigration Policies Leads to Walkouts Across the Westside

February 7, 2025

February 7, 2025

Walkout Turns Tense as Counter-Protester Confronts Teen in Video From Venice Students from Santa Monica High School (SAMOHI), Culver City...

10-Year-Old Palisades Girl Wins Martial Arts Medals Weeks After Losing Home to Fire

February 6, 2025

February 6, 2025

Savoian, a green belt in Yoshukai karate, trained at Gerry Blanck’s Martial Arts Center in Pacific Palisades Just weeks after...

Open Arms Art Show Runs Through Mar. 22 in Burbank

February 6, 2025

February 6, 2025

Opening Exhibition Saturday Feb. 8 from 12 to 8p.m. More than an art show, the Open Arms Exhibition is an...