Nazi Neck Tattoo Helps Cops Nab Suspected Bank Robber

By John Crandall

A Nazi tattoo – SS bolts – helped detectives capture a man suspected of robbing two Southern California banks, including one in Carlsbad, officials said.

Officers arrested Johnny Howard Hecker, 43, in Santee after spotting him walking through a fast-food restaurant parking lot Tuesday afternoon.

Hecker is suspected of robbing the Navy Federal Credit Union at 1824 Marron Road in Carlsbad about 11 a.m. Tuesday, according to a joint statement from the FBI, Carlsbad police and the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

With large SS bolts on his neck, Hecker matched the picture of a man who had robbed the U.S. Bank inside a Seal Beach Ralphs grocery store, according to Seal Beach Police Department Sgt. Ron La Velle. 

Hecker also allegedly stole a Seal Beach pickup truck Monday night. He is accused of robbery, possession of controlled substances and auto theft. 

“I mean, frankly, he’s not the only guy with SS bolts on his neck, but there aren’t that many,” La Velle said.

According to La Velle, Seal Beach, Los Alamitos and Cypress police worked together to investigate and track down Hecker, a Chula Vista resident. 

Hecker was arrested without incident and booked into San Diego County Jail on $100,000 bail. 

SS stands for Schutzstaffel, the brutal paramilitary force in Nazi Germany. Like the swastika, the SS symbol is often worn by members of neo-Nazi groups.