Suspect makes off with $5,000

LA CRESCENTA — A man who threatened two Citibank tellers Monday morning walked away from the Foothill Boulevard branch with about $5,000, sheriff’s officials said.

The man entered the bank on the 2600 block of Foothill Boulevard at 10:40 a.m., approached the first teller and threatened to shoot her, said Lourdes Arocho, an FBI spokeswoman.

He had his hand in his pocket as to simulate a weapon, she said.

The man then passed the first teller a note that stated, “If you don’t want anybody to get hurt, empty your bottom drawer,” Arocho said.

The man demanded the second teller to open the bank vault and told her, “I don’t want to hurt anyone.”

The teller handed the money over to the man, who walked out of the bank and turned left, Arocho said.

The man did not approach or harass any other shoppers in the busy Marketplace Shopping Center between Raymond and Rosemont avenues, said Lt. Greg Sisneros of the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station.

The same bank was robbed Dec. 26 at gunpoint.

In April, FBI detectives arrested Aptos, Calif., resident Michael Anthony Koselka, 54, who was allegedly responsible.

The suspect was known as the “Sleeves Bandit” because he wore a shirt with tattoos printed on both arm sleeves.

Koselka was suspected of robbing 14 other banks, including a Citibank in La Cañada Flintridge.

The man involved in the latest heist was described as black, having a goatee, in his late 20s to early 30s, 6 feet 4 inches tall and 185 pounds. He was seen wearing a dark green sweat jacket with a hood and pants.

Sisneros said the robbery was not likely connected to other bank robberies in the area. Anyone with details about the bank robber is asked to call the Sheriff’s Department at (818) 248-3464.

 VERONICA ROCHA covers public safety and the courts. She may be reached at (818) 637-3232 or by e-mail at veronica.rocha@latimes.com.