Bank Tellers Robbed but Not Threatened

Authorities searched Thursday for a man who politely waited in line before robbing two tellers at a Valencia bank.

The man walked into the Washington Mutual Bank on McBean Parkway about 2 p.m. Wednesday, waited his turn for a teller and then told an employee at the window: “This is a robbery,” according to Det. James Anderson of the sheriff’s Santa Clarita station.

The surprised teller asked the man if he was kidding and the robber replied: “I’m not kidding, this is a robbery.”

No weapon was visible, and the man never threatened to use one, but the teller gave him an undisclosed amount of money, Anderson said.

“He said the magic words, that it’s a robbery,” the detective said.

The bank was fairly busy and most employees and customers were not aware the robbery was taking place, Anderson said.

The man then walked to a second window and repeated “This is a robbery,” and that teller also turned over an undisclosed sum of money.

Witnesses last saw the robber driving from the bank in a dark green Toyota T-100 pickup. They described the suspect as white, about 25 years old with dark hair, dark eyes and a goatee, about 5 feet 7 and of medium build.

The FBI is investigating the case. Anyone with more information is asked to call Anderson at (661) 255-1121.