Bank Deposits Stolen Using Fake Drop Box

A clever thief nabbed at least several thousand dollars over the weekend by attaching a fake night deposit box next to the real one at a Security Pacific Bank in Granada Hills, authorities said Tuesday.

The perpetrator even taped a typewritten note above the trap box apologizing to customers for any inconvenience while the bank changed to a “new computerized system,” Los Angeles Police Detective Sandra Palmer said.

A phone number was provided on removable tabs at the bottom of the note for customers with questions, she said. The real deposit box was taped shut.

“One reason customers were suspicious is they got a business with no connection to the bank,” Palmer said of people who called the phone number.

The bank, whose corporate spokesman declined comment, became aware of the problem Monday morning when customers began calling the branch at 16920 Devonshire St. with questions, Palmer said.

At least one man who called said he had been suspicious enough not to make his deposit, the detective said.

Police have no leads. The note and fake metal and wood deposit box, apparently set up after the bank closed at 4 p.m. Saturday, were removed by 9 a.m. Monday, Palmer said.

Bank officials are compiling a list of their regular weekend depositors so the customers can be contacted and urged to call police if they fell for the ruse, Palmer said.

So far, two victims--both churches--have come forward and filed police reports saying they deposited cash and checks into the box. Palmer identified them as St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church in Granada Hills and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Northridge.

Church officials could not be reached Tuesday.