June 24, 2025 – San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan reports that a violent and armed bank robber who terrorized 
San Diego County during a series of armed bank heists has been sentenced to 488 years and 8 months in prison after being convicted on 30 felony counts in connection with four bank robberies across multiple jurisdictions.
Larry Lightning Jr., 45, used a gun to rob banks across North County and San Diego from 2019-2022, stealing nearly $400,000. His crimes included:
- 10 counts of kidnapping
- 12 counts of assault with a semi-automatic firearm
- 4 counts of robbery
- 3 counts of auto theft
- 1 count of kidnapping for robbery
“This defendant orchestrated a terrifying crime spree that put the lives of bank workers and community members in danger,” said DA Summer Stephan. “Thanks to the dedicated work of our prosecutors and law enforcement partners, he has been held accountable for his crimes and the fear and harm he caused. While the defendant proved elusive for years, law enforcement never gave up its work to solve this string of crimes.”
The crimes involved violent takeovers, hostages held at gunpoint, and traumatized employees who feared for their lives. The case remained unsolved until a DNA hit in 2022 cracked it wide open.
Beginning in 2019 and over the span of four years, Lightning was the leader in four violent armed take-over robberies across San Diego County. In each of the robberies, he stole a vehicle close in time to the robbery that he used as a getaway car and staged a second vehicle he transferred to less than a mile from the bank, leaving the stolen car behind. Lightning covered himself from head to toe with gloves, a hoodie and a mask before he stormed each bank with his gun drawn, jumping over the teller counter.
The defendant grabbed bank employees by their hair and pulled, pushed, and shoved them into the vault at gunpoint. He yelled at them to go faster, and even counted down, threatening to kill them if they did not get the safes open fast enough. The victims testified about the fear they felt, with some saying they believed they were going to die, and that they said goodbye to their children. Lightning emptied the vaults of all cash and escaped with almost $400,000 in total from the robberies.
The case went unsolved with no leads until June 2022, when a DNA hit from the driver’s seat of a stolen vehicle came back to the defendant. The FBI performed an extensive follow-up investigation using warrants, surveillance video collection and physical surveillance with the evidence pointing to this defendant. His cell phone records and DNA in each of the stolen cars used in the robberies also contributed to his conviction. After hearing all the evidence and arguments, the jury found defendant Lightning guilty of all counts and allegations, including all the aggravating factors charged in the criminal complaint.
“I want to especially thank Deputy District Attorneys Kristie Nikoletich and Savanah Howe for their outstanding work in presenting a thorough and compelling case to the jury,” Stephan said. “Their commitment to justice and protecting our communities along with the support of the DA and law enforcement teams helped ensure this dangerous individual will no longer be a threat.”
A huge thank you to the dedicated DA team and law enforcement who ensured this serial offender will never threaten our community again.
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Source: San Diego County District Attorney's Office
