Alleged bank robber arrives in taxi, dodges cops

GLENDALE — A man who allegedly tried to rob a downtown Citibank on Tuesday after arriving by taxi was able to evade police, officials said.

The man was dropped off about 4:12 p.m. outside the Citibank on the 700 block of North Brand Boulevard and asked the taxi driver to wait while he went inside the bank, Glendale police Sgt. Tom Lorenz said.

The man approached a bank teller and passed a demand note, but his attempt was unsuccessful, Lorenz said.

Instead of returning to the taxi, the man left through the back exit and fled on foot, Lorenz said.

Immediately after the attempt, Citibank management notified a Central Avenue branch in Glendale and warned them about the man, he said.

They later called police, who responded to both banks, Lorenz said.

Police searched the area, but were unable to find the man.

The robbery suspect was described as a white man, 35 to 40 years old with blond or gray hair. He was wearing khaki shorts, a gray jacket and a baseball cap.

The Citibank on Central Avenue was held up June 9 when an armed robber got away with an undisclosed amount of cash.

The robber entered the bank about 10:56 a.m., approached a teller and simulated a weapon in his coat pocket, police said.

In that robbery, the suspect fled from the bank’s south door.

He was described as black, 205 pounds and 5 feet 5 inches tall. He was wearing a brown and beige beanie, gray coat, a light-colored shirt and dark brown sunglasses.