Investigators seek information in bank robbery in Lake Forest

LAKE FOREST, Ca. (Oct. 18, 2024): Orange County Sheriff's Department investigators are seeking the public's assistance to track down additional information and witnesses in an Oct. 17 bank robbery.

At 12:03 p.m. on Oct. 17, Orange County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to the Chase Bank off Portola Parkway and Bake Parkway in the city of Lake Forest reference a bank robbery in progress with an armed suspect.

Prior to the deputies arriving, a male suspect armed with a handgun entered the bank and walked directly towards a bank teller. The male suspect reached over the counter and fired a round from the gun towards the feet of the bank teller. The round did not strike the bank teller, and no one was injured. The suspect fled the bank with approximately $31,000 in cash prior to the deputies arriving.

Deputies quickly set up a perimeter and utilized all available resources including the OC Sheriff's patrol helicopter and search canines to locate the suspect, but were unsuccessful. Due to the believed direction of travel of the suspect, a nearby elementary school was placed on lockdown for a short period of time while the search was conducted. On a trail near the bank, several items were located and collected in possible connection with the bank robbery. Crime Scene Investigators are currently processing those items.

The suspect is described as a male, 5'6" to 5'10", thin build and last seen wearing bucket style hat, black mask, yellow-hooded sweatshirt, tan pants, gloves, and a silver revolver style handgun.

Investigators are actively seeking additional information in this case. If anyone has any information that may assist the investigation, they are asked to contact the Orange County Sheriff's Department at 714-647-7000. Anonymous information may be provided through Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.

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