2 Boys Held in Alleged Bank Robbery Attempt That Ignored All the Rules

The first rule of bank robbery: Make sure the bank is open.

The second rule (to be used if the first rule is ignored): Don’t wait around for the bank to open after trying the front door while wearing a ski mask.

Two Los Angeles teen-agers arrested Tuesday morning apparently forgot those rules while allegedly attempting to rob a Canyon Country bank in Santa Clarita, according to authorities. The boys, ages 15 and 16, showed up in ski masks at 8:55 a.m.--five minutes before the bank opened--and then returned to their car after finding the door locked.

Sheriff’s deputies were immediately notified not only by employees of Great Western Bank, but also by witnesses driving by who called from their cellular phones.

“An employee sees them pull on the door and then get into a black Volkswagen Bug with no plates,” said Sgt. Howard Fairchild of the Santa Clarita Valley sheriff’s station. “Meanwhile, other witnesses have seen these guys and are calling 911.”

Sheriff’s deputies arrived a couple of minutes later and arrested the juveniles at gunpoint as they were walking toward a mailbox, Fairchild said. By then, the deputy said, the suspects had moved the car, but not very far.

“These guys don’t get the hint,” Fairchild said. “They move their car and park it elsewhere in the parking lot.”

The ski masks, a handgun and a pillowcase were discovered in the car, Fairchild said. Authorities said they believe the Volkswagen was stolen.

The suspects, whose names were not released because of their age, were booked at Sylmar Juvenile Hall on suspicion of attempted robbery, said Lt. Barbara Persten.