The FBI joined Huntington Park detectives to search the home of a bank manager who was taken from by two masked men who strapped her with what appeared to be an explosive device and forced her to empty the vault at her own Bank of America branch. Security consultant Sergio Robleto says in his experience, it’s unusual for federal agents to gather boxes full of evidence from the victim’s house, like they did on Thursday. Stephanie Elam reports from East LA for the NBC4 News at 5 p.m. on Sept. 6, 2012.
Investigators Look to Surveillance Video in East LA Bank Heist
Law enforcement officials detail what they know so far about an East LA bank heist that involved the branch manager allegedly being kidnapped and forced at gunpoint to open the vault. Investigators say they re treating the woman as a victim and are looking to surveillance footage for clues of the suspects, which remained at large several hours after the incident. Beverly White reports for the NBC4 News at 11 p.m. on Sept. 5, 2012.
Detectives spent Thursday morning searching the apartment of a bank manager who was forced to take money her own bank while wearing what she thought was an explosive device.
Five Huntington Park detectives entered the woman's home shortly before 7 a.m. Thursday. Police left the residence about an hour later carrying multiple boxes.
The search was part of an investigation stemming from Wednesday's robbery at the Bank of America located at 941 Atlantic Blvd. in East LA.
The incident apparently started Tuesday, when two men kidnapped a female bank manager from her home, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
"We believe the employee was forced into her vehicle and then drove to the bank," said Lt. Neal Mongan, of the Huntington Park Police Department.
Then, around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, the woman -- wearing what she was told was a bomb -- entered the branch. She obtained an undisclosed amount of money, and threw it out the back door, where the kidnappers were waiting.
Police responded to the bank, removed the device from the victim and safely detonated it outside the branch.
Although there have been reports about a getaway car, LASD Capt. Mike Parker said Thursday morning that neither LASD or Huntington Park police have released any information about such a vehicle.
The two men, who may be armed, are still on the lam. At least one of the men is believed to be armed.
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