‘2K bandit’ sentenced to 12 years for string of bank robberies

A homeless man was sentenced Friday to 12 years in state prison following his guilty plea in a dozen bank robberies in Costa Mesa and other Orange County cities, according to court records.

Mark Moore, 47, pleaded guilty Feb. 20 to 12 counts of second-degree robbery, with sentencing enhancements for using a firearm.

Officials called Moore the “2K bandit” because he often presented notes that demanded $2,000. He was arrested Feb. 6.

Prosecutors alleged that in December and January, Moore committed four bank robberies in Costa Mesa and others in Huntington Beach, San Clemente, Buena Park, Tustin and Orange.

“The suspect also made verbal demands and threatened victims,” the FBI stated in a news release last month. “In some cases, the suspect indicated that victims were in further danger if they did not comply with his demands.”

Prosecutors said Moore could have faced a maximum of 27 years in prison had his case gone to trial.

—Bradley Zint

Twitter: @bradleyzint