Man Sought After Bizarre Holdup Bid

Torrance police were searching Friday for a would-be bank robber who pulled a gun on a Security Pacific Bank manager in a Del Amo Fashion Center parking garage Friday morning, handcuffed a briefcase to her wrist and warned that a bomb inside would explode if she did not return quickly with cash.

Lt. Wally Murker said bank manager Pamela Sellars was told that she, her family and bank employees would be harmed if she did not return within 10 minutes.

Upon entering the bank, Murker said Sellars had employees call police, who arrived at the bank, unlocked the handcuffs and removed the briefcase. None of the money placed in a gym bag was lost.

The parking garage was cordoned off, and a Sheriff’s Department bomb squad used a dynamite cap to blow open the briefcase, Murker said. No bomb was found.

Police are looking for a suspect described as 34 to 35 years old, 5-foot-7, with a medium build and medium to long dark hair and a mustache.