1997 California cold case solved

OAN Roy Francis
UPDATED 2:21 PM – Saturday, March 11, 2023

Ventura County Sheriff’s Department arrested a suspect for the 1997 killing of Monica Leech, Thousand Oaks bank teller.

After an investigation that involved the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and Ventura County District Attorney Investigations Bureau as well as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Kevin Ray James, 55 was arrested for bank robbery, and murder.

Two men dressed up as construction workers robbed the Western Financial Bank in Thousand Oaks (California) where Monica Leech was a teller. Leech was being handcuffed by the robbers and one of them shot her in the back. The 39-year old teller died instantly.

Two suspects fled the scene in a 1994 Ford Explorer. However, they crashed the car nearby. The Sheriff’s Office was able to recover the vehicle, even though the suspects managed to escape on foot.

Soon after the murder, $160,000 was raised by the community as a reward for anyone who could provide information leading to their arrest. Authorities also found surveillance footage from the scene and composite sketches from eye witnesses. However, no arrests were made for more than 25 years.

Investigators have used DNA traces left on handcuffs over the years to identify suspects.

Ventura County District Attorney’s Office didn’t comment on James’ arrest or the evidence that led to him. Officials stated that a news conference would be held on March 14.^Th They will also release additional details regarding their investigation and arrest.

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