‘Smurf Bandit’ admits trying to rob RB credit union

Kevin Duran High, who pleaded guilty to three counts of robbery and one count of attempted robbery, faces up to 14 years in state prison when sentenced Nov. 9 by Judge Charles Gill.

High, 25, admitted involvement in a series of heists between May 13 and May 26 in La Mesa, Liberty Station, Rancho Bernardo and Oceanside, said Deputy District Attorney Makenzie Harvey.

The 5-foot-5 defendant — who has a record of financial theft-related cases and a burglary conviction from 2005 — used a demand note in each of the holdups, the prosecutor said.

Steven Haley testified that he asked High to remove his hat and sunglasses when he came into the Navy Federal Credit Union in Rancho Bernardo on May 26.

Haley said High walked by him toward the teller line, and he asked him a second time to remove his hat and glasses. High complied and walked out of the bank, saying he had to go to his car, Haley testified.

An hour later, High robbed a teller at a Navy Federal Credit Union in Oceanside of $2,400, authorities said.

Rita Mansoor testified last month that she was working at a Wells Fargo branch in Grossmont Center around 4 p.m. May 13 when High came to her teller window and pulled out a demand note that read “`Being robbed. Gun. No dye-pack.’’

Mansoor said she was “mad’’ about the note, but complied and gave the robber more than $500 before he walked out.

Carmen Gallo testified that she was working at the Navy Federal Credit Union on Decatur Road on May 15 when a man wearing dark sunglasses and a baseball hat robbed her of $3,000.

Gallo said the robber handed her a note that said “I have a gun’’ and not to give him any “bait’’ money, which scared her.

He was arrested June 2 at his San Ysidro home.