Bandit Fakes Gun, Robs Bank of $2,500
A masked man robbed a bank of about $2,500 Monday by holding tellers at bay with his cloth-covered hand curled to resemble a pistol.
The robber, wearing a black ski mask, entered Union Bank in the 17000 block of Beach Boulevard about 11:15 a.m. with a dark cloth over his hand, making it appear that he held a pistol, Lt. Patrick Gildea said.
“This is a robbery,” the man called out before he vaulted over the teller counter and emptied three cash drawers. Authorities said no one saw a weapon.
Gildea said that in taking the cash, the masked man shunned stacks of marked bills that authorities use to trace bandits.
He jumped back over the counter and fled, Gildea said. A ski mask was found on Blaylock Drive near the bank.
Police described the robber as about 25 years old, 5 feet, 9 inches tall and weighing 180 pounds.
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