Calif. bank robbed; bomb squad investigates object

MORENO VALLEY, Calif. (AP) — A gunman wearing military-style clothing robbed a bank on Tuesday and left behind an object that resembles an explosive device, authorities said.

The robbery occurred shortly after 8:30 a.m. at a Chase branch in Moreno Valley when bank employees were arriving to work. The man, who wore a military-type mask with cargo pants and black boots, forced the employees inside the bank and demanded cash, said Deputy Albert Martinez of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

The man stole an undisclosed sum of money and fled after taking an employee’s vehicle that was later found two blocks away, Martinez said.

The suspect left behind an object on a coffee table that resembles an explosive device, authorities said. A bomb squad responded and a robot was sent inside.

No arrests have been made and no injuries have been reported.

Last week, two men abducted the manager of an East Los Angeles bank and strapped what turned out to be a fake bomb to her in a scheme to rob a Bank of America branch.

Martinez said it’s not known if the two robberies are connected.