Crying Robber Holds Up Thousand Oaks Bank

Thousand Oaks - A man who held up a Thousand Oaks bank claimed he was a sick ex-employee forced to rob banks because the company owed him money, according to the Ventura County Sheriff's Department.

The man displayed a note with his written demands to a teller at the Santa Barbara Bank & Trust on Westlake Boulevard on Monday afternoon, say authorities.

The suspect left the bank crying with an undisclosed amount of cash, sheriff's officials said.

There were approximately 15 people inside the bank at the time. The suspect did not brandish a weapon, and nobody was injured during the heist.

The suspect was last seen running toward the nearby Ralph's supermarket.

Witnesses described the suspect as a white male in his 50's, approximately 5'8" and weighing approximately 170 lbs. He had short brown hair and wore thick prescription glasses. He was wearing a brown coat, blue jeans, and white athletic shoes.

A ground search by deputies and a K-9 unit of the surrounding area did not lead to the suspect.

Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to contact Detective Jon Smith at 805-494-8216, or the FBI at 805-642-3995.