California Man Allegedly Robs Bank, Takes Hostages Just One Day After Prison Release

If convicted, Eric Walter Gray of California faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.

Eric Walter Gray, 53, was released from San Quentin Rehabilitation Center the day before allegedly taking three hostages during a bank robbery in Anaheim, Calif., on May 8, 2024. Courtesy of Anaheim Police Department

A man in California has been charged with allegedly robbing a bank and taking multiple bank employees hostage one day after he was released from state prison.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced in a statement that Eric Walter Gray, 53, was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 12 for allegedly robbing a BMO Bank in Anaheim, California, on May 8—the day after being released from San Quentin Rehabilitation Center.