Police Release Photos of Westamerica Bank Robber

Police in Novato and San Rafael are both hunting for bank robbery suspects, and the suspects could be one in the same based on surveillance photos released Monday.

San Rafael police released photos of a suspect who robbed the Westamerica Bank on 1177 Francisco Blvd. earlier this month.

On Jan. 4 at 5:12 p.m. according to police spokeswoman Margo Rohrbacher. He fled on foot after receiving the cash.

"No weapon was seen or mentioned," Rohrbacher said.

The suspect was described as a white male in his 30s, between 5-feet-6 to 6-feet-1 tall, 160 to 200 pounds with a muscular build. He was unshaven with one to two days growth of beard and wearing a black beanie, black sunglasses and a black hooded sweatshirt. 

The photos with just the beanie were taken outside the bank prior to the crime and those with the hood up were taken during the robbery.

The suspect's description is similar to that of a man wanted in connection with a Novato bank robbery on Jan. 10, said Novato police Lt. Jennifer Welch. The Westamerica Bank branch in Ignacio was robbed of an undisclosed amount at 3:51 p.m. and the suspect fled on foot. No one was hurt and no weapon was used, police said.

"Based on appearance and similar MO, they appear to be the same suspect, though we are still actively working the case," Welch said.

Anyone with information about the San Rafael crime is asked to call San Rafael Police at (415) 485-3000 or Crime Stoppers at (800) 222.8477. Callers can remain anonymous. Tips can be made online at www.bayareacrimestoppers.org.

This is the second burglary in San Rafael in the past month. On Dec. 22,  police arrested 37-year-old Jeremiah Clyde Martin on suspicion of robbing the Citibank at 666 Third Street two days before. 

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