Crime & Safety

Updated: Valley View Street Closed By Bomb Scare Bank Robbery

The Chase Bank branch on Valley View near the Seal Beach border was robbed today by a man claiming to have a bomb. The suspect is at large, and the street is closed.

A man threatened to have an explosive device today during a robbery at a bank in Garden Grove, police said.

The robbery was reported at a Chase Bank branch in the 12500 block of Valley View Street, according to Lt. Jeff Nightengale of the Garden Grove Police Department.

``The suspect showed an employee a device that appeared to be explosive,'' Nightengale said in a statement. ``The suspect demanded money and forced the employee into the safe.''

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The suspect left the location with an undisclosed amount of money, telling the employee he left the device inside the bank, Nightengale said.

The bank and surrounding businesses were evacuated and deputies from the
Orange County Sheriff's Department bomb squad searched the bank, but no
device was found, Nightengale said.

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The suspect was white and in his 40s with dark hair. He was wearing a blue baseball cap, beige long-sleeve shirt and jeans.

Police urged anyone with information to contact Garden Grove investigators at (714) 741-5800.

- City News Service


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