Alleged 'Drifter Bandit' Held on $1 Million Bail, Suspected of Stealing $30,000 From Local Banks

The alleged "drifter bandit," a career criminal now facing life in prison if convicted in four South Orange County robberies, is being held on $1 million bail.

Michael David Marano, 45, made his first apperance in court Tuesday, where he was formally charged with stealing $30,000 from banks in San Juan Capistrano, Laguna Niguel and Dana Point.

The Santa Ana resident was arrested Friday while under surveillance by Orange County Sheriff's investigators following four bank robberies between May 3 and July 6.

According to City News Service, Marano has yet to enter a plea. His arraignment was postponed Tuesday to July 29.

Authorities said Marano wielded a handgun during two of the heists. He was nicknamed the "drifter bandit" because of his appearance.

In booking paperwork, Marano identified himself as an auto detailer. Since the 1980s, he has spent years in state prison for various felony convictions, including five robberies in 1988 and one in 2011.

According to Orange County Superior Court records, Marano was also convicted of corporal injury against a spouse or roommate in 2001, drug possession with the intent to sell in 1994, buying or receiving a stolen vehicle in 2004 and engaging in prostitution in 2011.

He now faces four felony counts each of second degree robbery and second degree commercial burglary. The Orange County District Attorney's Office is tacking on sentencing enhancements for the prior robbery convictions.

If convicted on all new counts, Marano faces a maximum sentence of 110 years to life in state prison. He is being held without bail.

Read more about the bank robberies: