*Bank robbery causes traffic nightmare around Grove, Farmers Market
A bank robbery in the Fairfax district this afternoon prompted a major response from the Los Angeles Police Department, causing traffic backups that continued into the evening commute. *Residents were reporting that most of the congestion had cleared by 7:30 p.m.
The robbery occurred about 3:30 p.m. at the Washington Mutual bank at the corner of Fairfax Avenue and Beverly Boulevard, next to The Grove shopping center and CBS Television City. LAPD Officer Karen Smith said a citizen followed the robber from the bank and alerted police.
The area -- including Fairfax Avenue and Ogden Drive -- was closed as police searched the neighborhood for a suspect. Traffic around The Grove and Farmers Market was snarled for hours.
The neighborhood group Melrose Action issued an e-mail advisory urging people to stay in their homes during the police search. One residents e-mailed The Times that Orange Grove Avenue was also blocked off.
-- Richard Winton
That was a scary day. Was evacuated from my building (Oakwood/N. Orange Grove) 4pm by K9 and street clothed police men with M16s. Have pictures if you need them.
Posted by: Adrian | November 26, 2008 at 07:57 PM
All the drama has stopped now. All quiet on the western front at 7:30 or so over here.
Posted by: robertsean | November 26, 2008 at 07:59 PM
Was the suspect apprehended?
Posted by: BOB G | November 26, 2008 at 09:53 PM
Why don't banks use biometric safes? I would think this would make it a lot more safe since they do not have to worry about the big keys which make it easier for the robbers to open up the safe. I am tired of seeing all of these incidents occurring. They need to make it impossible to open the safe unless the person is actually there and they have to place their finger exactly the same way. I don't know, just a thought.
Posted by: Jeremy | December 05, 2008 at 09:56 AM