Armed man robs Mira Mesa Credit Union before fleeing in vehicle
SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – A masked robber armed with a handgun committed a takeover-style robbery Wednesday at a Mira Mesa credit union, during which he assaulted a teller while demanding that employees open the vault and give him cash.
The robbery took place at 9:51 a.m. at the California Coast Credit Union branch at 9825 Mira Mesa Blvd., just east of Interstate 15, according to the San Diego Police Department and the FBI.
The hooded bandit jumped on the counter and made verbal demands while displaying a handgun and ordering several employees to the ground.
According to SDPD Officer Tony Martinez, the suspect pulled one of the tellers to the ground by her air, then “drag[ged] her to the vault” and demanded to be given cash. Other tellers helped the assault victim comply with the robber’s demands, the officer said.
The robber emptied one of the bank’s recycling bins and used it to collect an undisclosed amount of currency from the vault, then made his getaway in a white Chevrolet Z71 pickup truck, according to FBI Special Agent Davene Butler.
The FBI described the suspect as possibly black, age unknown, 5-foot-5 and weighing 150 pounds, with a “muscular build.” He wore a black ski mask, navy blue hooded sweatshirt, dark pants and black gloves.
Anyone with information about the robbery was asked to call the San Diego FBI at 858-320-1800 or sending an email to tips.fbi.gov. Tipsters can also contact CrimeStoppers at 888-580-8477.
