If only all crimes were so easy to solve.

Alvin Lee Neal robbed a downtown San Diego bank, but before he did he inserted his ATM debit card at the teller window — revealing his name and other personal information.

Neal, 56, was sentenced in San Diego federal court Tuesday to three years and 10 months in prison for the robbery, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Neal entered the Wells Fargo branch on First Avenue on May 13 and approached a teller window, according to his plea agreement. He first swiped his card through the card reader at the window. When the teller asked how he could be helped, Neal replied: “You’re being robbed. Don’t make a mistake.” He then handed the teller a note that had a similar statement.


When the teller hesitated, Neal said: “You don’t want anyone to get hurt, don’t make a mistake.”

The teller handed him $565 — in $20s and $1s — and Neal ran out of the bank, pulling a metal cart from the bank behind him, according to the complaint.

With his debit card information on hand, investigators found his driver’s license and address and discovered Neal is a registered sex offender. He was previously convicted of attempted rape and sexual battery, according to the California Megan’s Law website.

FBI agents and San Diego police officers set up surveillance at a hostel on 10th Avenue downtown and stopped him as he left the building that afternoon. He agreed to a search of the room he was staying in, which turned up a checkered, double-breasted jacket that the robber appeared to have worn, as well as Neal’s debit card, the complaint states.


He admitted to robbing the bank when questioned by investigators, according to the complaint.

As part of his sentence, he was ordered to pay $565 in restitution to the bank.

kristina.davis@sduniontribune.com


Twitter: @kristinadavis