Ex-Detective Sentenced For Bank Robbery: 'I Seem To Have Ruined My Life'

SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) - A retired Los Angeles police detective turned bank robber has been sentenced to seven years in prison.

The Orange County Register (http://bit.ly/1TLzcfx ) says Randolph Adair apologized during Friday's sentencing and told the judge: "I seem to have ruined my life."

Authorities say the 71-year-old Adair was the Snowbird Bandit - named for his age and white hair - who held up five Orange County banks last year.

Family members turned him in.

Under a plea deal, Adair pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery and one of brandishing a weapon.

During his career, Adair was honored for leading 50 people out of a burning building and helping rescue others during a toxic leak.

But his lawyer says a five-decade struggle with alcohol and gambling addictions led to his downfall.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.