$1 Million Bail Set For Man Charged In Temecula Kidnapping, Robbery

TEMECULA, CA — A man who allegedly robbed a business at gunpoint in unincorporated Temecula — and kidnapped an employee in the process — was being held in county jail Monday in lieu of $1 million bail.

Irvin Duane Banks, 50, was charged with one count each of robbery and aggravated kidnapping — both felonies.

On Monday, he pleaded not guilty to the charges and is now scheduled for a Nov. 7 felony settlement conference.

The investigation into Banks unfurled around 9:30 p.m. Sept. 28 when Southwest Sheriff’s Station deputies were called about an armed robbery at a business in the 34000 block of Calle Arnaz, in unincorporated Temecula.

During their investigation, deputies learned that a suspect, later identified as Banks, was waiting outside of a store as employees were closing for the night, the sheriff's department reported.

As the workers exited the business, Banks allegedly forced one of them back into the store's office to empty money from the safe. Armed with a handgun, Banks made threats during the encounter and then fled the area on foot, according to the sheriff's department.

There was no indication from law enforcement that the victims were physically harmed.

Banks was not immediately found, but deputies canvassed the area and spotted "evidence dropped on a nearby property," the department reported.

On Oct. 26, Banks was tracked near the 44000 block of Adam Lane in Temecula, where he was taken into custody without incident.

According to the sheriff's department, Banks is on federal probation for robbery.

Court records show Banks is also facing one count of misdemeanor petty theft in a separate case.