Bank of the West was robbed at gunpoint shortly after opening Friday morning, Dec. 8. A single suspect, described as a male, approximately 5-foot-11 entered the bank, brandished a weapon and demanded money.
Clearlake Police Department was dispatched to 15050 Olympic Drive at about 9:20 a.m. following a report of a robbery that had just occurred at the location.
According to the press release issued by the CPD, the assailant was wearing a mesh-type mask, black and red shirt, jeans and black and white shoes. Upon entry into the bank, the suspect brandished a gun and demanded money.
After receiving an undisclosed amount of cash, the suspect fled in a beige and brown SUV-type vehicle. The vehicle was recovered, unoccupied, less than a mile away shortly after the incident.
At the time of the robbery, there were numerous customers in the bank. No one was injured during the incident.
A California Highway Patrol air unit aided in the search for the suspect and the vehicle.
Investigation into the robbery is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact Detective Richard Towle at the Clearlake Police Department, 994-8251, extension 329.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clealakeobserver.com.
