Reward Offered for Information on Suspect Who Shot Police Officer Following a Bank Robbery

A reward of up to $20,000 is being offered in exchange for information leading to the arrest of a suspect who shot and wounded a Chino police officer after robbing a bank last week, announced Steven Martinez, assistant director in charge of the FBI in Los Angeles; and Miles Pruitt, chief of police for the Chino Police Department.

On Wednesday, February 29, 2012, the California Bank & Trust on 5455 Riverside Drive in Chino, California, was robbed by a white male, described as 25-40 years old with a stocky build. The suspect was armed with an assault rifle, similar to an AK-47, with a sling and drum magazine. Following the robbery, a police officer patrolling the area came upon the bank robbery suspect, who was fleeing the bank. The suspect fired upon the officer and seriously wounded him. During and following the robbery, the suspect wore body armor over a dark-colored, collared, short-sleeved shirt and blue pants, as well as a ski mask covering his face.

The suspect was seen leaving the scene in a vehicle described as a dark gray Nissan Maxima with four doors and tinted windows. A witness described seeing Arizona license plates on the vehicle; however, a plate number was not recalled. The suspect may have removed and/or switched the vehicle after it was last seen.

Chino Police Chief Miles Pruitt stated, “We are continuing to ask for the public’s assistance in this important matter. This suspect will be brought to justice with your help.”

Prior to the bank robbery, a threat was called into the 911 dispatch center from a payphone in the general vicinity of the bank by a male caller. Investigators believe the suspect employed a diversionary tactic in an attempt to delay officers responding to the bank robbery.

Assistant Director in Charge Steve Martinez, said, “Someone willing to attempt the murder of a police officer and terrorize bank employees with an assault rifle is a danger to all of us and must be caught. The FBI will continue to work with our partners at Chino PD to generate and cover leads in order to apprehend this suspect.”

Anyone with information about this incident or as to the identity or whereabouts of this suspect is urged to contact the Chino Police Department at 909-628-1234, their nearest FBI office, or 911. This suspect is considered heavily armed and dangerous and individuals who may come into contact with him are advised to contact law enforcement immediately and refrain from taking independent action to apprehend the suspect.

Bank surveillance photographs of the vehicle and the suspect can be found at http://www.chinopd.org/. The FBI’s wanted flyer announcing the reward can be found at http://www.fbi.gov/wanted/unknown/unknown-suspect-17/view. Information can be provided confidentially.

This investigation is being conducted by detectives with the Chino Police Department and agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Media Contacts:

FBI: Laura Eimiller
310 996-3343 or laura.eimiller@ic.fbi.gov

City of Chino: Spokeswoman, Michelle Vanderlinden
909-591-9803 or mvanderlinden@cityofchino.org