A man is in custody in connection with a robbery and two vehicle fires in Surprise.
Israel Andrew Diaz, 28, of El Mirage, faces charges of robbery, arson, kidnapping, tampering with evidence, prohibited possession of a weapon and drug possession.
Around 3 p.m. Jan. 10, Surprise police responded to a vehicle on fire in the parking lot of a crowded shopping complex near Grand Avenue and Bell Road. According to records, as officers arrived, a second vehicle fire was reported in another nearby parking lot. About 2 minutes later, police responded to a bank robbery at the nearby Bank of America.
Police, believing the incidents to be related, established crime scenes at each incident.
At the bank, police learned the suspect gave a note to a teller, demanding $2,500 and for the teller to not to make a scene.