Updated: Bank of America in Mammoth, robbed – suspect arrested
Updated Aug. 26, 5:22 p.m. The follow-up investigation was led by Detective Doug Hornbeck. The bank provided surveillance photos to the MLPD and Hornbeck and other officers recognized that the suspect may be local resident they had dealt with in the past, Ryan Ward, age 30. A short time later, the MLPD received information that a suspect matching the description of the bank robber named Ryan Ward was staying at the Motel 6.
MLPD officers, assisted by deputies of the Mono County Sheriff’s Office, surrounded the room occupied by Ward. Telephone contact was made by Sergeant Marc Moscowitz and after about fifteen minutes of negotiation, Ward exited the motel room and surrendered peacefully. Ward was not armed at the time of his arrest.
Ward will be booked for bank robbery at Mono County Jail. The investigation is continuing to determine the amount taken in the robbery and its location.
Chief Dan Watson said, “One of the benefits of a small community is that the police know many people in town. That includes the criminal element. This local knowledge, coupled with a tip on his whereabouts, resulted in a quick apprehension.” Chief Watson also acknowledged the investigative skills of Detective Hornbeck, the teamwork displayed by all personnel involved, and the excellent negotiation skills of Sergeant Moscowitz who very calmly convinced the suspect that he should surrender. “This had a quick and peaceful resolution as a result of good police work.”
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Updated Aug. 26, 4:36 p.m. According to MLPD Chief Dan Watson, “The bank robbery suspect from this morning is in custody.”
Watson said the suspect was found at Motel 6 and was talked out from the building by phone. The suspect surrendered peacefully.
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Updated Aug. 26, 3:06 p.m. The MLPD released further details on the bank robbery that occurred at Bank of America the morning of Aug. 26. According to the MLPD press release, the suspect fled the scene, southbound on Laurel Mountain, possibly on a bicycle.
While the suspect’s note stated that he had a gun, no weapons were seen. “The suspect obtained a yet to be disclosed amount of cash. There were no injuries reported,” the release said.
“The suspect has numerous colorful tattoos visible on both arms down to his hands and also on the left side of his neck. He has lettering visible on all fingers. The suspect’s clothing worn during the robbery was located in the Shady Rest tract, in the forest behind Center St.
The suspect is still outstanding. If anyone has information related to this case, please contact Detective Hornbeck at the Mammoth Lakes Police Department, 760.934.2011.
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At approximately 11 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 26, Bank of America in Mammoth was robbed.
The Mammoth Lakes Police Department responded. Sergeant Marc Moscowitz described the suspect as a white male, about 30 years old, 5’8″-5’9,” with tattoos.
This is the second bank robbery in Mammoth Lakes this month. The other occurred on Aug. 2 at Union Bank. The police are still searching for that robber who has been described as a white male between 55-60 years old who walked out of the bank with $1,400.
Similar to the Aug. 2 robbery, the Bank of America robber handed a note to the teller. The note said, This is a Robbery. I have a gun. All I need is $2,500.
Tony Guerriero, who was in the bank at the time said he had no idea there was a robbery going on until the suspect had left the building and bank employees placed plastic over the counter where the suspect had been. The bank patrons were then told that all transactions would have to be stopped as a robbery had just occurred, Guerriero said.
The police planned to dust for prints on the counter.
At the time of this post the suspect’s jacket had allegedly been found at the Center Street Shell Station. Police were searching the area.
