Valentino Luchin, a 62-year-old chef with credentials from prestigious establishments including Rose Pistola in San Francisco, faces charges for allegedly robbing three banks within two blocks of downtown San Francisco on Tuesday, September 10. Authorities arrested him the same day at a nearby hostel after employees at one branch recognized him from an earlier failed check-cashing attempt. Court documents indicate he passed notes demanding money at CTBC Bank, BMO Bank, and Bank of America, collecting approximately $3,000 before police arrived.
This marks Luchin's second encounter with bank robbery charges. In 2018, the Italian-born chef pleaded guilty to robbing a Citibank in Orinda, California, and served six months in county jail. His culinary career had deteriorated following the 2016 closure of his Walnut Creek restaurant Ottavio, which accumulated debts exceeding $111,000. Multiple bankruptcy filings documented his financial collapse, including unpaid wages to former employees and outstanding vendor bills.
Luchin remains detained at a San Bruno correctional facility on $200,000 bail, facing two counts of second-degree robbery and two counts of attempted robbery.
This marks Luchin's second encounter with bank robbery charges. In 2018, the Italian-born chef pleaded guilty to robbing a Citibank in Orinda, California, and served six months in county jail. His culinary career had deteriorated following the 2016 closure of his Walnut Creek restaurant Ottavio, which accumulated debts exceeding $111,000. Multiple bankruptcy filings documented his financial collapse, including unpaid wages to former employees and outstanding vendor bills.
Luchin remains detained at a San Bruno correctional facility on $200,000 bail, facing two counts of second-degree robbery and two counts of attempted robbery.
