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Bay Area celebrity chef robs 3 banks in one day, police say
ABC News ^ | 9/15/2025 | Doc Louallen

Posted on 09/16/2025 6:56:53 AM PDT by simpson96

A prominent Bay Area chef was arrested last week for allegedly robbing three San Francisco banks in a single day, authorities said.

Valentino Luchin, 62, of San Francisco, was taken into custody on Sept. 10 after allegedly passing notes demanding money to bank tellers at three separate locations in the city's Central District, according to the San Francisco Police Department. His bail is set at $200,000.

The first incident occurred around 12:02 p.m. when Luchin allegedly entered a bank in Chinatown and passed a note to an employee demanding money, police said. After receiving cash, he fled the scene. Two more banks in the Central District were allegedly robbed similarly that same day.

Investigators, aided by SFPD Ambassadors and community tips, identified Luchin as the suspect and arrested him without incident, police said. He was booked into San Francisco County Jail on charges of robbery and attempted robbery, authorities said.

The arrest marked Luchin's second brush with bank robbery charges. In 2018, he admitted to robbing a Citibank in Orinda, California, making off with over $15,000, according to an interview he gave ABC News owned station in San Francisco, KGO, from the Martinez detention facility at the time.

During that interview, Luchin, a distinguished Italian chef known for his expertise in regional cuisine and the former owner of Ottavio restaurant in Walnut Creek, blamed financial struggles after his establishment closed in 2016.(snip)

Before his legal troubles, Luchin had built a reputation in the culinary world, working in top restaurants worldwide and specializing in menu design and culinary management, according to Take a Chef. He previously served as executive chef at San Francisco's Italian restaurant Rose Pistola, where he was known for combining traditional Italian cooking methods with innovative techniques.

(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...


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To: Ahithophel

Good question.


21 posted on 09/16/2025 7:53:06 AM PDT by No name given ( Anonymous is who you’ll know me as )
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To: Fido969

Quite literally in this case.


22 posted on 09/16/2025 7:53:25 AM PDT by No name given ( Anonymous is who you’ll know me as )
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To: simpson96

Given the price restaurants charge in San Francisco...

He was either being paid poorly or had huge debts, maybe from gambling.

Or there are idiots who just enjoy the thrill of robbing banks.

Either way, he’ll have lots of time to contemplate his actions - and will be safe (maybe) from his debtors.

Maybe he can help out in the kitchen peeling potatoes.


23 posted on 09/16/2025 7:55:27 AM PDT by Bon of Babble (You Say You Want a Revolution?)
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To: simpson96

Chef needs a new business plan, this one sounds like a recipe for disaster.


24 posted on 09/16/2025 8:25:38 AM PDT by mac_truck (aide toi et dieu t'aidera)
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To: mac_truck

LOL again...


25 posted on 09/16/2025 8:32:36 AM PDT by simpson96
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To: simpson96

Looks like Molloy, the older thief on The Simpsons

26 posted on 09/16/2025 8:39:51 AM PDT by BookmanTheJanitor
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To: gnarledmaw

They were taken over by trans and became anti-Trump, accusing him of “spreading hate.”


27 posted on 09/16/2025 8:40:09 AM PDT by ViLaLuz (2 Chronicles 7:14)
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To: BookmanTheJanitor

Good catch.


28 posted on 09/16/2025 9:12:50 AM PDT by simpson96
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To: BookmanTheJanitor
"From now on, he'll be doing his cooking in Statesville Prison."

(Combined Goodfellas and Police Squad references).

29 posted on 09/16/2025 9:29:05 AM PDT by Larry Lucido (Donate! Don't just post clickbait.)
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To: simpson96

Well, he’s cooked now...


30 posted on 09/16/2025 10:22:45 AM PDT by Vendome (I've Gotta Be Me https://youtu.be/wH-pk2vZG2M)
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To: Vendome

Ha!


31 posted on 09/16/2025 10:26:22 AM PDT by simpson96
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To: simpson96

Is bank robbery still illegal in Kalifornia? I’ve lost track.


32 posted on 09/16/2025 10:31:55 AM PDT by Billthedrill
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To: simpson96; The Spirit Of Allegiance; SunkenCiv; Red Badger; ProtectOurFreedom; Larry Lucido
A prominent Bay Area chef was arrested last week for allegedly robbing three San Francisco banks in a single day, authorities said.

A man's gotta eat.. at least 3x day.

The first occurred around 12:02 p.m. when Luchin allegedly entered a bank in Chinatown and passed a note to an employee demanding money..

Doesn't anybody proof read anymore?

"The first incidente occurred around 12:02 p.m. when Lunchin allegedly entered a bank in Chinatown and pasta note to an employee demanding dough..."

33 posted on 09/16/2025 10:50:51 AM PDT by Ezekiel (🆘️ "Come fly with US". 🔴 Ingenuity -- because the Son of David begins with MARS ♂️, aka every man)
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To: Ezekiel

Who can afford gourmet cooking anymore? The man probably couldn’t even afford to eat at his own restaurant. Three Bank jobs were barely enough for one meal.


34 posted on 09/16/2025 11:28:04 AM PDT by Larry Lucido (Donate! Don't just post clickbait.)
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To: simpson96

He’s robbing Chinatown banks?? Not North Beach banks?


35 posted on 09/16/2025 11:30:02 AM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom
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To: Ezekiel

I’m surprised there are still three banks operating in SF.


36 posted on 09/16/2025 11:58:58 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (NeverTrumpin' -- it's not just for DNC shills anymore -- oh, wait, yeah it is.)
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To: simpson96

As Heavy Gantt would say, robbing banks wasn’t his ministry.


37 posted on 09/16/2025 12:56:53 PM PDT by Noumenon (Duty is as heavy as a mountain; death is as light as a feather. KTF)
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