Lake Forest Bank Robbery Suspects in Court

Three men accused of robbing five Orange County banks, including a US Bank in Lake Forest, are expected to appear in court today on felony charges.

Two of the three suspects, , are facing maximum sentences of life in prison due to prior felony convictions.

The "Market Duo'' bandits earned the nickname because they targeted bank branches in grocery stores.

Paul Acosta Jr., 28, of Los Angeles, is charged with 12 felony counts of second-degree robbery and five counts of second-degree commercial burglary. Acosta is also charged with sentencing enhancements for prison priors for felony thefts in May 2010 and January 2008. Acosta was . If convicted on all counts, Acosta faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in state prison.

Whittier man . Soto is charged with 10 felony counts of second degree robbery and four counts of second degree commercial burglary. Soto has two previous strikes for a September 1983 residential burglary and a July 1993 bank robbery.

Richard Valdez, 52, La Habra, is charged with two felony counts of second degree robbery and one felony count of second degree commercial burglary. Valdez is a third striker for an April 1983 robbery and a May 2003 assault with a deadly weapon. Soto and Valdez face a maximum sentence of life in state prison with the possibility of parole.

The three men are being held on $1 million bail. Soto is scheduled for an arraignment; Acosta and Valdez, for pre-trial hearings.

Acosta is accused of planning the five robberies at banks and recruiting Soto and Valdez for their expertise.

Orange County Heists 

On Oct. 25, 2011, Acosta and Soto are alleged to have entered a US Bank in La Habra, robbing two tellers and fleeing the scene with thousands in cash. 

About a week later, on Nov. 3, 2011, Acosta and Soto are alleged to have done the same at a US Bank in Seal Beach. 

That same month, on Nov. 21, 2011, Acosta and Soto are robbing a Wells Fargo Bank in Placentia of an unknown amount of cash.

The duo are also on Dec. 10, 2011.

Then, five days into the New Year, Acosta is alleged to have returned to the Wells Fargo in Placentia he is alleged to have robbed in November, this time with Valdez, and pulling another heist.

According to a release from the Orange County District Attorney's office, the duo on the 57 and 91 freeways.

The pursuit ended in Paramount and Acosta was shot by a Los Angeles Sheriff's deputy. He was treated then sent to Orange County Jail. Authorities said that Valdez got away at that time. He was arrested Jan. 18 by La Habra police.