Some money, possibly dropped when the suspect ran, has been
recovered
Some money, possibly dropped when the suspect ran, has been recovered
n By heather bremner Staff Writer
Gilroy – Residents living in an apartment complex adjacent to the scene of Tuesday’s bank robbery, were startled when police officers showed up at their doors, but didn’t worry about their safety even as officers searched their neighborhood for the armed suspect.
“We’ve lived here for 10 years and we’ve never had any problems,” said Linda Fowler, who answered the door surrounded by three barking dogs and her grandson. “We feel pretty safe in this corner.”
Although shocked to see police officers on the doorstep of her Gaunt Street, northwest Gilroy home, she felt secure knowing they had responded to the robbery so quickly.
“They were here within minutes, letting us know what had transpired,” Fowler said. “So they were on it right away.”
A man armed with a hand-gun, described by witnesses as Hispanic or Middle Eastern, entered South Valley National Bank, located on the corner of First Street and Santa Teresa Boulevard, about 3pm and demanded money from a teller. The suspect left with an undisclosed amount of cash and fled in a white truck.
But, for unknown reasons, he ditched the truck at the north-end of the parking lot and hurdled a fence surrounding the quiet, cul-de-sac neighborhood. The truck had been reported stolen out of Gilroy Monday. Police surrounded the area with guns drawn and used the police dog in an attempt to track down the suspect.
On Wednesday, the Gilroy Police Department released a sketch of the man who may be responsible for the robbery based on a witnesses’ account,
Although, only one man robbed the bank, police think the suspect may have had an accomplice, said Sgt. Kurt Svardal said. A red dye pack placed within the cash went off inside the vehicle.
Some of the money, that either blew out of the car or was dropped as the suspect ran, was recovered, he said.
Christina Rodriquez, another resident of the complex, left to pick up her daughter and returned to a block full of police cruisers. She assumed officers were setting up a drug bust at one of the homes, but thought the scenario odd since the neighborhood’s always been safe.
Soon police officers knocked on her door, telling her to shut the door and keep her children inside. Earl Gonsolin heard sirens, but because emergency vehicles often pass heading to accidents on Highway 152, he didn’t pay any attention.
He was surprised to hear that a robbery had occurred in the nearby building and the suspect may have ran past his door, while he worked at home. But employees and business owners in the plaza were well aware a robbery had taken place.
Hair stylists at Hello Gorgeous didn’t receive a visit from police officers but employees from surrounding businesses came by to report the news. As the women cut and styled hair, a melange of stories and rumors poured into the salon.
“No one came and told us anything,” said owner Kiersten Vavoulis. “So we, as usual, heard it through the grapevine.”
And, on Wednesday, the ladies were eager to hear the true version.
Ali Staloch, an esthetician at Avanti Skin Care Center which sits within view of the bank, said she was in the treatment room with a customer during the incident and didn’t hear or see anything.
“I was oblivious to it,” she said.
Anyone with information may contact Gilroy police at 846-0300.
