Napa Police: Three Suspects at Large after Bank Robbery

The three suspects in Wednesday morning’s armed robbery at the Westamerica Bank in north Napa remain at large, according to a press release issued by the Napa Police Department late Wednesday night:

 On 4/27/2011, at approximately 1000 hours, Suspect 1 and 2 entered the main entrance of West America Bank during normal business hours.

Suspect 1 immediately ran toward the bank teller counter and jumped over it. Suspect 1 demanded an employee unlock the vault and the employee complied with his demands.

Suspect 1 removed an undisclosed amount of cash from the vault. Suspect 2 acted as a “look out” and ordered 11 workers and patrons to remain in the adjacent office area of the bank.

Suspect 1 and Suspect 2 ran out of the bank through the main entrance and entered a vehicle parked out front with Suspect 3 (the driver). The vehicle was last seen heading south on Soscol Ave approaching Pear Tree Ln.

At 1004 hours, West America Bank employees contacted the Napa Police Department to report the robbery. Napa PD units arrived at 1007 hours and established a perimeter around the bank.

Officers made phone contact with bank employees and verified they were safe and were notified the suspects had fled the scene. The suspect vehicle license plate was broadcast to all county law enforcement agencies.

Several minutes later, the suspect vehicle was located abandoned with the engine still running in the 1600 block of Pear Tree Lane. A records check revealed the vehicle was stolen from Richmond on 4/17/2011.

 None of the employees or patrons sustained any physical injuries.

 The FBI was notified of the incident and is assisting with the investigation.

The police press release describes the bank robbery team as:

1) Male Adult, Unknown Race, 6’0’’, dark colored hooded sweatshirt,

    blue baggy jeans, black athletic shoes, and black “Mechanics” brand gloves

2) Male Adult, Unknown Race, 6’0’’, dark colored hooded sweatshirt, light colored

 pants, black shoes, black shoes

3) No description

Any information should be directed to Napa Police Detective Don Winegar, (707) 258-7879 or dwinegar@cityofnapa.org, according to the press release.