Nazi Neck Tattoo Helps Cops Nab Suspected Bank Robber in Santee

Written by John Crandall

A Nazi tattoo – SS bolts – helped detectives capture a man in Santee suspected of robbing two Southern California banks, officials said.

Officers arrested Johnny Howard Hecker, 43, in Santee after spotting him walking through a fast-food restaurant parking lot Tuesday afternoon.

With large SS bolts on his neck, Hecker matched the picture of a man who had robbed the U.S. Bank inside a Seal Beach Ralphs grocery store, according to Seal Beach Police Department Sgt. Ron La Velle. 

“I mean, frankly, he’s not the only guy with SS bolts on his neck, but there aren’t that many,” La Velle said.

According to La Velle, the SBPD and Los Alamitos and Cypress police departments worked together to investigate and track down Hecker, a Chula Vista resident, and detectives headed down to San Diego in hopes of capturing him. 

Hecker was arrested without incident and booked into San Diego County Jail on $100,000 bail. 

In addition to the U.S Bank robbery, officials allege Hecker also robbed a Carlsbad bank Tuesday morning and stole a Seal Beach pickup truck Monday night. He is accused of robbery, possession of controlled substances and auto theft. 

Earlier this month, a Los Al police department officer questioned Hecker and noted his appearance and address. La Velle wasn’t sure why the Los Al officer had questioned Hecker but said field interviews are common for police officers. 

Later, La Velle added, detectives compared notes and realized Hecker matched the description and photo of the man who robbed the bank. After noting Hecker had a San Diego County address, La Velle said, Seal Beach police were concerned Hecker would head south. 

SBPD notified San Diego FBI officers, who said a man matching that description was suspected of robbing a Carlsbad Bank on Tuesday morning, La Velle said.

A number of officers from the three departments headed down to San Diego County to look for Hecker, according to La Velle.

On Tuesday afternoon, detectives spotted Hecker, 43, walking through a fast-food restaurant parking lot in Santee. According to La Velle, they had just begun their search when they bumped into him in a parking lot. 

“He looked distinctive enough,” La Velle said. 

Officers searched Hecker’s vehicle, found illegals drugs and discovered the vehicle was stolen, officials said. 

San Diego jail records describe Hecker as a white man brown-eyed, brown hair, six feet tall and about 200 pounds. 

SS stands for Schutzstaffel, the brutal paramilitary force in Nazi Germany. Like the swastika, the SS symbol is often worn by members of neo-Nazi groups.