Would-Be Robber Leaves Bogus Bomb in Bank
A fake bomb left on a desk by a would-be robber forced the evacuation Friday of about 20 people from a Security Pacific National Bank branch in Hollywood, police said.
Dressed casually in a sport coat and polo shirt, a man entered the bank in the 7600 block of Sunset Boulevard about 2 p.m. and asked for a $35,000 loan. After discussing the loan for a half hour with a bank employee, the man pulled out a red box and threatened to blow up the bank unless he got the money, said Detective Lt. Bob Ruchhoft.
The man fled when the employee went to the bank vault. No money was taken and employees were allowed to return in about an hour. Police found crumpled newspapers in the box.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
