Bank robberies in Oakdale, Escalon, Tracy could be linked
Authorities are investigating two bank robberies in Oakdale and Escalon on Monday, and a third heist in Tracy last week. Investigators say it’s possible the same man robbed all three banks.
The most recent robbery was shortly before 5 p.m. Monday at Valley First Credit Union branch in the 100 block of West F Street. Oakdale police said the robber handed the teller a note demanding money. The thief then walked out with the stolen cash.
Police described the robber as a white man in his mid-30s; wearing a black baseball cap with a straight blond wig, a dark jacket with a light-colored liner, a gray T-shirt or tank top and long black-and-white plaid shorts.
The Oakdale robber was last seen walking north, possibly to a gold Honda waiting on Poplar Street about two blocks north of the bank. The Honda was last seen heading east. Police had no further description of the Honda.
Oakdale police Sgt. Joe Johnson said it’s possible the same man robbed BBVA Compass banks in Escalon and Tracy.
Escalon robbery
The Escalon robbery occurred about noon Monday at the BBVA Compass branch in the 3300 block of McHenry Avenue. Escalon police said the robber handed a bank employee a note demanding money. The employee complied and the robber left the bank with the stolen cash.
Police described the robber as a white man in his 20s, standing about 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weighing about 170 pounds. The robber was wearing what appeared to be a bleached-blond ponytail wig, a white-and-gray flannel button-up shirt, jeans and black baseball cap.
The robber was last seen headed east on Narcissus Way. Witnesses told police they saw the robber near the bank and that a red smoke cloud suddenly appeared. Police said it’s possible a security dye pack detonated, creating the smoke cloud.
The witnesses said the robber continued to run to a green, older-model Nissan pickup parked on Edgetown Street, just east of the bank. Police said the robber entered the pickup’s passenger side.
Police described the pickup driver as a white man, possibly in his late 30s, wearing a white shirt. Witnesses tried to follow the pickup but lost sight of it near Highway 120 and Brennan Road, about two miles northwest of the bank.
Some stolen cash was recovered near Edgetown and Narcissus. A woman riding her horse found some additional stolen cash along Brennan Avenue and notified authorities.
Tracy robbery
The Tracy bank robbery occurred about 4:30 p.m. Thursday at the BBVA Compass branch in the 1000 block of North Tracy Boulevard. Tracy police did not release any details about the robbery.
Police described the robber as a white man 25 to 35 years old, 5 feet 7 to 5 feet 11 inches tall. The robber had a thin build with no facial hair.
A witness told police the robber may have been wearing a wig underneath a baseball cap that appeared to have a “Batman” logo. The robber also was wearing a windbreaker that appeared to have a Ping golf emblem.
Police in Oakdale, Escalon and Tracy did not report any injuries, and no weapons were seen. Investigators did not disclose how much cash was stolen.
Oakdale police ask anyone with information about the Valley First Credit Union robbery to call Johnson or Detective Aaron Beatty at 209-847-2231.
Escalon police ask anyone with information about the BBVA Compass robbery on Monday to call Detective Robert Hardgraves at 209-691-7358.
Tracy police ask anyone with information about the BBVA Compass robbery on Thursday to call Detective Amber Seto at 209-831-6532 or send an email to amber.seto@tracypd.com.
This story was originally published April 19, 2016 at 3:52 PM with the headline "Bank robberies in Oakdale, Escalon, Tracy could be linked."