Couple Held on Holdup Charges

PALMDALE — A man whose father is already serving a 12-year prison sentence for bank robbery was arrested Wednesday--along with his wife--for committing the same offense, authorities said.

William Miles Jr., 24, and his wife, Charmika, 20, surrendered to Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies at 4:40 p.m. after barricading themselves in their Palmdale home for about an hour, according to Gary Auer, an FBI supervisor.

The couple was booked on federal bank robbery charges and are being held at the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station, Auer said.

William Miles is accused of robbing the Palmdale branch of Great Western Savings on March 25. Charmika Miles is accused of robbing the same bank two days later.

William Miles Sr. was convicted in February in a series of Antelope Valley bank robberies in 1996, Auer said.

“He was known as the Red-Eye Bandit,” Auer said, because he had red eyes when he committed the crimes. Authorities believe he committed the holdups while drunk.

An FBI agent went to the Miles family home Wednesday. The couple ran into their house, Auer said.

After a SWAT team arrived, William Miles’ mother persuaded the couple to give themselves up, Auer said.