Failed Robbery Ends in Arrest of Bank Worker
A five-year employee of an Eastside bank was arrested Saturday on suspicion of participating in an attempted robbery of the facility that was foiled when another employee unlocked the building to start the business day.
Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies surrounded the bank after the female employee reported seeing three masked and armed men inside. Investigators later found Raymond Diaz, 25, hiding in a brown van parked outside the bank, Sgt. Ron Spear said. The van contained two rifles and a mask.
Deputies and a crisis negotiation team were sent to the Pan-American Bank branch about 8:30 a.m.
No one was in the bank when deputies went in about noon, Spear said. Investigators said they believe the robbers may have used a passkey to enter. Spear said bank officials believe that no money was taken.
Investigators are still looking for two or three more suspects.
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.
