Car wash manager robbed of hundreds of dollars in Glendale while stopped at red light

The manager of a car wash who had just withdrawn hundreds of dollars from the bank was robbed in his car Saturday while stopped at a red light, police said.

The manager, who police did not identify, had just made the withdrawal and was returning to the car wash in the 700 block of East Colorado Street at about 3 p.m. when he pulled up to the red light at Glendale Avenue at Harvard Street.

“He was probably being watched at the bank,” Glendale Police Sgt. Tom Lorenz said.

While he was stopped at the red light, two men walked along both sides of his car. One of the men tried to punch the manager, but missed. Meanwhile, the other man reached into the passenger side window and grabbed the bank bag containing the money, according to police.

The first man ran and jumped into a black SUV parked behind him, but the manager decided to follow the man with the money as he fled on foot.

He eventually stopped his car to recover a cell phone the man dropped and continued the chase until he lost him at Broadway and Glendale Avenue.

The first man was described as black, about 6 feet, 1 inch tall and as wearing a black shirt. The other man, who was carrying the money, was described as black, about the same height and with hair on his chin and a “light beard.” He was wearing a black shirt, brown shorts and white socks and shorts.

Police urged anyone with details about the robbery to call (818) 548-3987. To remain anonymous, call Glendale Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

--Veronica Rocha, Times Community News

Twitter: @VeronicaRochaLA