LAKE COUNTY — On Wednesday at 2:39 p.m., a man walked into the Tri-Counties Bank in Middletown and asked the teller to make change for a $100 bill, which he received. The man left the bank after receiving his change without incident, according to Lake County Sheriff”s Office Public Information Officer Lt. Steve Brooks.
A bank employee contacted the Lake County Sheriff”s Office shortly after the man left, because the employee had a feeling that the man may have been there to rob the bank. The suspect was described as a white man approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall with a stocky build and scruffy facial hair.
He was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, black baseball cap and sunglasses.?
A Lake County Sheriff”s Office Patrol Deputy responded man”s description and conducted an area check.
The deputy was unable to locate anyone matching the description.?
Then at approximately 3:23 p.m., a man walked into the Westamerica Bank in Middletown and asked the teller to make change for a $100 bill. When the teller turned to make change, the man produced a note instructing the teller to give him money. The note also indicated that the suspect was in possession of a firearm, although no weapon was seen. The man obtained an undisclosed amount of money from the teller. He then walked out of the bank leaving in an unknown direction. The description of the suspect was nearly identical to the description provided by employees of the Tri-Counties Bank.?
The first Sheriff”s Office Patrol Deputy arrived at the bank within four minutes of the call being placed. Numerous Sheriff”s Office patrol deputies, detectives and California Highway Patrol Officers arrived at the scene a short time later. An extensive search of the area was conducted with negative results. Crime Scene Investigators also responded to collect evidence. The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) was notified of the robbery. It is believed that the same suspect is responsible for several bank robberies, which have recently occurred in the North Bay area.This investigation is ongoing and anyone who may have information regarding this case is encouraged to contact the Lake County Sheriff”s Office at 263-2690. See more at: https://local.nixle.com/alert/4966600/#sthash.I9deikix.dpuf
