DOWNTOWN: “Chubby Bandit” convicted in six robberies

(CNS) – The getaway driver in a series of robberies in San
Diego County last October was convicted this week of six counts of bank robbery and
one count of robbing a pharmacy.

Vahid Edrisi, 44, will be sentenced June 10 by U.S. District Judge Larry
Burns.

Evidence presented at trial showed Edrisi made cell phone calls in the
vicinity of six of the seven robberies committed by 27-year-old Aaron Hyman,
dubbed the “Chubby Bandit.”

Edrisi was captured by video surveillance just prior to one of the
heists, and his black 2011 Chevrolet Camaro convertible was caught on video
surveillance footage from three of the seven robberies.

Trial evidence also showed that Edrisi twice fled law enforcement at
high speeds to avoid capture. Inside the car, which he abandoned following the
second chase, officers found a hat worn during one of the seven “Chubby
Bandit” robberies.

Edrisi, of Oceanside, was arrested when he went to a tow yard to try to
retrieve his car.

Hyman, of Vista, pleaded guilty in January to seven counts of robbery
and will be sentenced April 8.