Crime & Safety

Bank Robber Who Led Murrieta Police on Pursuit Sentenced to 8 Years

Murrieta police became involved in the pursuit of Walter Scott Sherwood Dec. 6 after he robbed a Temecula bank. After crashing his car in Menifee, Sherwood was shot by a Murrieta police officer.

An ex-con who robbed a Temecula bank using a fake firearm and was shot several times by sheriff's deputies along with Murrieta police as he attempted to flee was sentenced today to eight years in state prison today.

Walter Scott Sherwood, 56, pleaded guilty in April to armed robbery. The defendant has prior convictions for manufacturing illegal drugs and forgery. Under a plea agreement with the Riverside County District Attorney's Office, he admitted to perpetrating the robbery and acknowledged his priors, and in return prosecutors dropped a burglary charge.

On Dec. 6, the convicted felon robbed the Pacific Western Bank in the Town Center Plaza on Ynez Road in Temecula, sheriff’s officials said.

Find out what's happening in Murrietawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Sherwood passed a note to a bank teller saying he had a gun and demanded money, according to sheriff’s officials. Sherwood sped away in a rental car through Murrieta and into Menifee with law enforcement close behind, sheriff’s officials said.

Murrieta police officers were aiding sheriff's deputies in the pursuit when the defendant crashed his vehicle into another car in the 28000 block of Del Monte Drive, adjacent to the Cherry Hills Golf Course, in Sun City.

Find out what's happening in Murrietawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Law enforcement officers swarmed the area and began a house-to-house search, aided by a sheriff's air unit.

Moments later, Sherwood was located behind a residence and leveled what appeared to be a silver handgun at four deputies and Murrieta police officer Matt Mozingo, who opened fire, hitting the bandit in the leg and chest.

for his professional conduct during the incident, as Mozingo was the first to corner the robbery suspect.

Deputy District Attorney Jason Stone said the gun turned out to be a replica.

Sherwood tried to flee across the golf course fairway but collapsed on the green, between Worcester and Ridgemoor roads. No law enforcement officers were hurt.

The defendant underwent surgery at Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar and was later transferred to the infirmary at the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside.

Superior Court Judge Kelly Hansen postponed two prior sentencing hearings to give Sherwood time to continue medical treatment for his gunshot wounds.

City News Service contributed to this report.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.