FBI, National City Police Department, and San Diego Sheriff’s Department Seek Public’s Assistance to Identify Hoax Bomb Suspects

The FBI, Chula Vista Police Department, and San Diego Sheriff’s Department are seeking the public’s assistance to identify the individuals responsible for threatening to use a bomb during an attempted robbery of the Chase Bank, 1130 East Plaza Boulevard, National City, California, on Thursday, October 6, 2011.

On Thursday, October 6, 2011, at approximately 9:12 a.m., the Chase Bank, 1130 East Plaza Boulevard, National City, California, was the victim of an attempted bank robbery involving a hoax bomb threat.

At approximately 9:12 a.m., a call was received by an employee working inside of the Chase Bank, 1130 East Plaza Boulevard, National City, California. The caller, believed to be a male, told the employee to place $100,000 cash inside of a green bag that was sitting near a red bag. The employee was then directed to place the bag near an object outside of the bank. The caller threatened to use a bomb if the employee did not comply with his demands. The employee alerted other employees inside of the bank, at which time the bank was evacuated and law enforcement contacted

At about the same time the call was received at the bank, an unknown female wearing a dark blue hooded sweatshirt and dark sweatpants, was observed carrying a red sports like bag and a green like shopping bag right outside of the bank. The suspect dropped both bags inside of the bank lobby door and walked away heading west across the parking lot. The suspect was observed removing the hooded sweatshirt and pants. The hooded sweatshirt and pants were recovered under a parked car in a nearby parking lot.

Witnesses describe the female suspect as follows:

• Sex: Female
• Race: Black
• Age: Unknown
• Height: Approximately 5’6” to 5’7”
• Weight: Approximately 145 lbs. to 170 lbs.
• Build: Heavy
• Hair/Coloring: Unknown
• Clothing: Dark blue hooded sweatshirt and dark blue sweatpants

Bank surveillance photographs—Chase Bank, 1130 East Plaza Boulevard, National City, California, Thursday, October 6, 2011

Anyone with information concerning this attempted robbery is asked to contact the FBI at telephone number (858) 565-1255 or Crimestoppers at (888) 580-8477. You may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 by calling either telephone number.