Modesto bank held up; robber escapes | Crime

MODESTO, CA - Modesto police think a man who robbed a bank Monday afternoon armed with a shotgun fled in a waiting vehicle.

Lt. Rick Armendariz said the heist was at Citibanks located at 1340 Oakdale Road. After demanding money from a teller, the armed robber fled the bank. He was last seen running across the bank parking lot in the southbound direction.

Police conducted an aerial and ground search. A police K9 tracked the suspected robber down an alley and a vacant house on the 1300 block of Sunland Way, Armendariz said. However, no one was in the house and the scent ended in front of the house.

Witnesses described the individual who robbed the bank as a white man, about 5 feet 8 inches tall, and weighing about 150 pounds. He wore a black shirt and blue jeans. A ski mask concealed his face.

Police urged anyone with information about the robbery to call Crime Stoppers toll-free at (209) 521-4636. Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward. Tipsters can also text information to Crime Stoppers by sending a text message to 274637. Type "TIP704" along with the message.