Fallbrook Sheriff's detectives are asking the community to help identify a man who has recently begun a rash of robberies in the Fallbrook area.

A Hispanic male, estimated to be in his early 20’s, entered the Fallbrook branch of Wells Fargo Bank on Monday shortly after noon and presented a teller with a written note demanding cash, threatening that he had a gun. Authorities said they believe the suspect may have committed two other robberies recently in Fallbrook – one at Dollar Tree on December Dec. 28, 2009 and the other at Payless Shoe Source on Jan. 17.

After speaking with the witnesses at Wells Fargo Bank, the Sheriff’s Dept described the bank robber as a Hispanic with a light complexion, between 5’1" and 5’5" weighing approximately 150 to 170 lbs.

"He was wearing a black, polo-style collared shirt and had a baseball hat on backwards," said Sheriff’s Sgt. Ron McCracken. The robber was also wearing black shorts and had facial hair described as ‘stubble’ on his chin.

Sheriff’s detective Dan Laibach said the robber presented a female teller with a written note that said, "I have a gun. Give me all the money. I don’t want to hurt you."

"The gun was never actually seen though," explained McCracken.

After being given money by the teller, the robber exited the bank out the front door and left the area on foot.

Authorities would not release the amount of cash the robber got away with, but indications are that the amount wasn’t large.

Due to the ensuing Advertisement

Ace Hardware - Temecula investigation by Fallbrook deputies and the FBI, the bank was closed for several hours.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Dan Laibach at (760) 451-3100.

(previous story Jan. 25)

The Fallbrook branch of Wells Fargo Bank was robbed shortly after noon today, confirmed Sheriff's Sgt. Ron McCracken.

"Witnesses described the robber as a Hispanic male in his early 20's," said McCracken. "He is reported to be about 5' 1" in height, approximately 150 lbs, with facial stubble on his chin area."

McCracken said the robber was said to be wearing a black, polo-style shirt and a baseball hat backwards on his head.

A detective on the scene said the man approached a female teller inside the bank, demanded cash and said he had a gun.

"The gun was never seen," said McCracken.

The teller told authoirities that the robber spoke with a heavy Spanish accent.

The robber exited the bank out the front door and left the area on foot.

Authorities would not release the amount of cash the robber got away with.

(previous story)

At approximately noon today, the Wells Fargo Bank in Fallbrook was robbed, according to a witness interviewed by the Village News. According to the witness, a quiet lock-down ensued. Banking customers were not aware of the robbery until the Sheriff's department arrived.

The Sheriff's department kept banking customers on the premises until they were questioned as potential witnesses.

The witness said he saw a teller crying after the robbery and she seemed distraught. Story to follow.