'Courtesy clerk' arrested in bank robbery at Albertsons in Rowland Heights [Updated]
A man dressed in pink hospital scrubs and a Darth Vader mask robbed a bank inside a grocery store Friday in Rowland Heights, but Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies said they didn't have to go far to find him.
The man, who was not immediately identified, was a "courtesy clerk" at the same Albertsons grocery store in the 19000 block of Colima Road where a Bank of America branch was located, said sheriff's Capt. Mike Parker.
At about 11 a.m., a man carrying a hatchet and dressed in a Darth Vader-type mask, pink scrubs, a black wig and gloves approached a bank teller and demanded money.
Sheriff's officials would not say how much was taken from the bank but during their investigation determined that the thief worked in the Albertsons supermarket. He was arrested about three hours later at another location, Parker said.
"The robber's elaborate disguise did not keep from getting caught later on," Parker said.
[Updated at 12:33 p.m.: The suspect was identified as Gregory Sanchez, 46, of West Covina. He is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail, authorities said. He was arrested about three hours later at the same Albertsons where he works and where the crime took place, Parker said. An earlier report said Sanchez was arrested at a different location.]
-- Andrew Blankstein
Top photo: Bank surveillance image of a man brandishing a hatchet while wearing a disguise.
Credit: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
Bottom photo: Gregory Sanchez
Credit: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
EDITOR'S PICKS:
Anything having to do with sharp objects such as axes, samurai swords, hatchets, broadswords, and long ginsu knives, are meth influenced. Funny how that is.
Posted by: Dodger Tony | December 31, 2010 at 02:26 PM
This guy is STUPID!!!
Posted by: Alex P. Gomez | January 01, 2011 at 10:36 AM
Southern California is starting to play like a really stupid cartoon.
Posted by: Jim Q. Citizen | January 01, 2011 at 10:53 AM
He almost got away with it. His mistake was returning to the scene of the crime.
Posted by: WasDaMadderYou | January 01, 2011 at 06:25 PM
this guy is my family member!
Posted by: WOW!! | January 02, 2011 at 07:49 PM
this is my family member
Posted by: WOW!! | January 02, 2011 at 07:50 PM
he returned to the seen because thats where he worked he was working there for about 3 years and he wasnt very happy with the way his life was going
Posted by: WOW!! | January 02, 2011 at 07:53 PM
ive heard of this dumb stuff before and ive felt the same way as some of you. however, under this enlightening occurance you never really now whats going on in the mind of a desperate person. even if that person is close.
dont judge.
Posted by: sympathetic | January 04, 2011 at 01:04 PM
Can you say " LOSER ".
Posted by: jim kelly | January 04, 2011 at 01:59 PM
You shouldnt judge one unless you walk into there shoes.
Posted by: friend | January 05, 2011 at 07:00 PM
This guy used to hit on me and my sister everytime we shopped at Albertsons. Why is there this influx of tweakers in Rowland Heights. It's gross.
Posted by: Rosa | January 06, 2011 at 01:02 PM