Downey

Police last week arrested a bank teller after he claimed he had been the victim of a $8,000 robbery at the drive-in window.

Louie Pimentel, 27, of Downey, a teller at Southern California Bank at 9040 E. Telegraph Road, was arrested Friday on suspicion of grand theft, said Capt. Jim Shade. Pimentel was released on $5,000 bail for arraignment Wednesday in Downey Municipal Court.

“There never was any robbery--he (Pimentel) just pocketed the money,” Shade said, adding that $7,700 was found in a police search of Pimentel’s house, and the suspect subsequently returned another $280.

Shade said that Pimentel first told police that at 5:40 p.m. Thursday, a customer at the drive-in teller put a note in a pneumatic tube that said, “Keep eyes and hands up. Immediately fill container with $10,000 minimum . . . . Avoid alarm and heroics. Have police radio so wait or bomb in building will blow. Hurry.”

Pimentel then told police he stuffed $8,000 in a pneumatic tube and gave it to the suspect, who drove away in a dark blue Buick.

The bank was evacuated and searched, but no bomb was found, Shade said.

Upon questioning Friday by Detective Bob Bradfield, Pimentel admitted his earlier statements were false and said he “apparently stole the money,” Shade said.