The ex-cop who pleaded guilty to strong arm robbery after he bungled a Hialeah bank heist turned himself into prison Tuesday morning to begin serving his one-year sentence.
Rolando Bolanos Jr., son of former Hialeah Police Chief Rolando Bolanos Sr., will begin his 364-day sentence Tuesday morning for the Feb. 9, 2009 heist at the Bank Atlantic on the 7700 block of West 33rd Ave.
The 38-year-old Bolanos will also serve six years' probation and pay back the $2,389 he netted in the robbery, which he pleaded guilty to in December.
Bolanos left behind a stunning amount of evidence during the bank robbery. First, he wore the same jacket during the robbery as one he was seen receiving as a gift on a home video. Second, a distinguishing mole on his neck that witnesses spotted helped former workmates at the Hialeah PD identify him. Third, a bank employee was able to get the robber's license plate number and description that just happened to match Bolanos' black Mercedes.
To seal his fate, Bolanos deposited $2,200 into his bank account 20 minutes after the robbery.
Bolanos resigned from the force in 2004 after it was revealed that he hadn't disclosed that he was arrested before the Hialeah PD hired him. His father had been Hialeah's police chief for two decades before he retired in 2007.
