BAKERSFIELD, Calif.(KBAK/KBFX) — A 66-year-old convicted bank robber, Michael Moore, will be released on parole early next year after the California Board of Parole Hearings (BPH) determined last month that he no longer poses a risk to public safety.
His latest robbery dates back to October 24, 2000, when Moore stormed into the former Union Bank on Oswell Street and yelled, “You know what this is! Get away from the alarms!” He held what was later determined to be a fake gun, pointed and told the tellers to place all their money on the counter. He then ordered them to move to one location within the bank.
He fled from the bank with over $6,000. He was arrested later that evening. All of the cash was accounted for except $88.
Moore was convicted of three counts of robbery on Feb. 23, 2021. He has three previous convictions for 1978 and 1988 robberies, including a bank robbery.
On March 23, 2001, a Kern County Judge sentenced Moore to 50 years to life, plus 10 years.
Just over 25 years later, on March 25, 2026, the BPH held Moore’s first parole hearing.
His commissioners focused on his:
Criminal history, including prior robberiesRules violations while in prisonHis maintenance of sobrietyHis insight into his prior “parasitic lifestyle” involving women and their moneyHis work as a medical peer support specialistReceipt of his AA DegreeRehabilitative programming
The DA’s Office asked the BPH to deny parole. However, the BPH found that Moore was eligible for parole and no longer posed a current unreasonable risk of danger to society.
Moore, 66, has served over 25 years in prison and will remain in prison until the review process is complete. He will reach his minimum eligible parole date in March 2027.
Assistant District Attorney Joseph Kinzel stated, “Moore has an extensive history of robbery, and prior periods of incarceration have not deterred him from reoffending. The District Attorney’s Office raised concerns regarding his release, and given his criminal history, it is unfortunate that he was granted parole at his first hearing.”