Gunmen Rob Credit Union in Thousand Oaks

Three masked men, one brandishing a rifle and another a handgun, robbed a Thousand Oaks credit union early Monday, terrorizing customers and employees.

As construction crews worked outside, the three robbers in hard hats and jumpsuits slipped into the Ventura County Federal Credit Union in the 200 block of Thousand Oaks Boulevard about 10:50 a.m. After revealing their guns, the suspects ordered everyone to the floor.

“They were cursing and yelling at customers and employees,” said Sheriff’s Deputy Eric Buschow. “They basically ordered everybody down on the ground and proceeded to take cash. They took control of the bank completely.”

Joe Giardiello, who runs state Sen. Tom McClintock’s district office on the building’s third floor, entered the downstairs lobby just as the robbers were preparing to leave.

“This woman comes running out with this kid tucked under her arm,” Giardiello said. “It looked really weird. Then, right there in the hallway, there was this guy lying spread-eagle on the floor. Apparently, they said ‘Get down!’ and he listened.

“I looked up, and there’s this guy coming out with a mask on and an assault rifle. He kind of looked at me and turned back and looked at another guy and yelled something.”

Shaken, Giardiello ducked behind a pillar and waited for the gunmen to leave. He heard a door slam, then saw a white pickup truck drive off.

The robbers left the truck at a nearby apartment complex, apparently fleeing in another vehicle. No arrests had been made.

The credit union remained closed for the day. Inside, FBI and sheriff’s investigators interviewed staff and searched for evidence.

Witnesses could provide only vague descriptions of the robbers because they wore masks and clothing that covered them from head to foot, Buschow said. Authorities were leaving open the possibility that a fourth person drove the truck.

One witness reported seeing a possible robber outdoors who was not wearing a mask. He was described as 230 pounds with no facial hair, 5 feet 9 or 10 and wearing a fluorescent orange work hat and a snug-fitting jumpsuit.