Another Bank Robbery Reported In North Bay

SANTA ROSA, CA — A bank robbery was reported Monday morning in Santa Rosa just steps away from where another bank was robbed one week ago.

At 10:20 a.m. Monday, a suspect described as a light-skinned Hispanic or Black man went into Bank of America, 2420 Sonoma Avenue, and pointed something through his jacket at the teller and told her he was armed, Santa Rosa police Sgt. Christopher Mahurin said in a news release.

The suspect handed the teller a bag and demanded money; the teller complied and gave an unknown amount of money to the suspect.

The suspect walked out of the bank and fled through the parking lot, police said.

No employees or clients were injured in the incident.

Numerous officers responded and searched the area for the suspect.

"After an extensive area search, the suspect was not located," Mahurin said.

Police said the suspect appeared to be in his mid-20s or early-30s and between 5 feet 7 inches and 5 feet 9 inches tall. He was wearing a black hooded jacket, eyeglasses, dark-colored pants, and a blue surgical mask.

The investigation was ongoing late Monday afternoon, and detectives were seeking to speak with anyone who may have information. Anyone who witnessed the robbery is asked to call the Santa Rosa Police Violent Crimes Team at 707-543-3590.

A reward of up to $2,500 is offered by the Sonoma County Alliance Community Engagement and Safety Rewards Fund for information leading to an arrest or arrests in this case.

It was the fifth bank robbery reported in Sonoma County since October. The first was on Oct. 26 at Wells Fargo at 5 Padre Parkway in Rohnert Park; the second was Dec. 4 at Exchange Bank, 499 Stony Point Road in Santa Rosa; the third was Dec. 19 at Bank of America, 6545 Hunter Dr. in Rohnert Park; and the fourth was reported Dec. 21 at Chase Bank, 2300 Sonoma Ave. in Santa Rosa.

"No, we don’t believe there is a relationship between this bank robbery and the others," Mahurin told Patch about Monday's robbery. "They appear to be different suspects."

Last week following the robbery at Chase Bank in Santa Rosa, Mahurin said SRPD's Violent Crimes Unit was still investigating any potential connection between the recent bank robberies in Sonoma County, but specifically the two in Santa Rosa (12/4 & 12/21).

"As of now, we haven't concluded if they are linked. But it is a theory we are looking into," Mahurin said.

ALSO SEE:

• Bank Robbery Suspect Sought By Santa Rosa Police
• Suspect Sought In North Bay Bank Robbery
• Bank Robbed By Suspect With Red Tattoo: Santa Rosa Police
• Help Sought To Identify Rohnert Park Bank Robber