Bank robbers drop loot during escape

Bank surveillance video shows one of the suspects in a May 26 Redlands bank robbery.

REDLANDS – Two men robbed a Redlands bank on Thursday, but dropped the loot during their escape from responding police.

The armed hold-up occurred just before 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Community Bank at Sixth Street and Citrus Avenue in downtown Redlands. One of the robbers jumped over the counter and emptied out teller trays while the other one held a gun on bank employees and customers.

No one was hurt and no shots were fired, said city spokesman Carl Baker.

The two suspects, described as black males in their early 20s between 5-foot-7 and 6-feet tall, fled in a getaway car which has not yet been described. One wore a gray hooded jacket and the other wore a blue hooded jacket. Only one was carrying a gun.

Reports said that the robbers left the bank through its north entrance as police arrived in the area and dropped the money during their getaway. It was not explained how the criminals were able to escape.

The stolen money was recovered, however.

“Police arrived as they fled the bank, which is probably why they dropped the money,” Baker surmised.

Police obtained surveillance video of the robbery and having released images of the crime. Investigators are studying the tapes to try and identify the suspects.

Redlands police are searching for both of the suspects involved in Thursday's armed robbery.

Those with additional information about the robbery are asked to contact Det. Rob Williams at (909) 798-7688.

This is not the only bank robbery the city has experienced this year. Its most recent took place earlier this month on May 10 when a man robbed the Chase Bank that is three blocks southeast of Community Bank. Four days later, police arrested a Highland parolee for the crime.