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Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009

Union Bank inside Save Mart robbed

Suspect handed teller a note demanding money; no one injured.

A man wearing a black baseball cap and sunglasses robbed a bank located inside a Merced Save Mart on Monday afternoon, said Lt. Tom Trindad of the Merced Police Department.

No one was hurt in the robbery of an unknown amount of money.

The bank in question was a branch of Union Bank inside the Save Mart on Olive Avenue and G Street.

Just after 12:30 p.m. the suspect walked into the Save Mart and handed over a note demanding money from a teller at the Union Bank branch, witnesses told police. The note also said he had a gun. No gun was ever seen by witnesses.

After the money was handed over, the suspect fled on foot.

He was described by police as a 26-year-old Latino male, about 5-foot-8-inches tall, weighing roughly 155 pounds.

Lucy Flores, who works in the Save Mart bakery, said she didn't see anything happen. The store was closed for about 15 minutes afterward and no one was allowed to go outside, she said.

Union Bank's branch inside Save Mart was closed Monday afternoon, and none of the three employees there would comment on the robbery.

A Union Bank spokesman couldn't be reached for comment.

Detectives are seeking anyone with information on the robbery. If you have any information contact Detective Joe Deliman at (209) 385-6992.

Reporter Jonah Owen Lamb can be reached at (209) 385-2484 or jlamb@mercedsun-star.com.