Suspect in Danville bank robbery kills himself

A highly-sought-after suspect in a Danville bank robbery and more than six other bank robberies in California killed himself Friday in Goleta in Santa Barbara County, police and sheriff’s officials said.

Keith Goodwin, 41, of Fresno, allegedly shot himself to death in a bathroom in a Goleta business in the 100 block of Carlo Drive.

An employee of the business had called the sheriff’s office at 12:25 p.m. to say that a suspicious person had come into the business, discarded clothing and was in the bathroom.

Deputies surrounded the business, evacuated about 15 people from several small businesses in the area and when they opened the bathroom door, Goodwin was found dead with an apparent gunshot wound to the head, according to sheriff’s officials.

Goodwin was being sought in at least nine other bank robberies in California in the last two months, police and sheriff’s officials said.

The FBI was involved in the search.

Before killing himself, Goodwin allegedly robbed the Rabobank at 5956 Calle Real in Goleta where he passed a note demanding cash from a teller and made threatening statements.

Sheriff’s officials said someone allegedly saw Goodwin with a gun during the robbery.

Goodwin allegedly robbed a First Republic Bank at 680 Hartz Ave. in Danville on July 12. Danville police said Goodwin flashed a firearm in that bank robbery too.

A law enforcement investigation continues into whether Goodwin is connected to the bank robberies outside of Danville and Goleta.