Smash But No Grab? El Segundo Bank Break-In Puzzles Police

EL SEGUNDO, CA - A flatbed tow truck, stolen in the Inland Empire, was backed into a bank's glass front entrance Sunday in El Segundo, shattering it and leaving a trail of shattered glass and metal debris strewn across a parking lot.

The AAA flatbed tow truck was stolen in Ontario, and then spotted on a video feed by guards watching the Chase Bank, 780 S. Sepulveda Blvd. in El Segundo. Police were sent to "burglary in progress alarm" call at 1:17 a.m., the El Segundo Police Department reported.

The alarm company, which utilizes real time surveillance cameras, reported a flatbed tow truck had backed into the bank's glass front entrance and doorway. They also reported that a person or people were possibly seen inside the bank after the front glass had been shattered.

When officers arrived, the truck was gone and they found the trail of shattered glass and metal debris. It was unknown whether the suspects were targeting the ATMs or other items inside the bank.

"They (the suspects) were there for a short time. They didn't take anything," said El Segundo police Sgt. Thomas Jones.

Police discovered the truck, abandoned, about four hours later near Culver Boulevard and Motor Avenue in Culver City, Jones said.

El Segundo police asked anyone with any information regarding the incident to call them at (310) 524-2200.

-- City News Service, photo courtesy of the El Segundo Police Department