Bank Robbery Suspect Caught

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery-Homicide Detectives are investigating an Attempt Robbery that occurred at the Bank of America located at 8564 South Broadway.

On Tuesday, January 4, 2005, at about 9:15 a.m., a suspect, later identified as 48-year-old Curtis Yarbrough, a resident of Los Angeles, entered the Bank of America and approached the branch manager. The suspect was carrying a small travel bag and stated it was a bomb. The suspect demanded $10,000 in $100 bills from the manager. The suspect walked with the manager toward the operations area when the manager pushed the suspect and secured himself within the operations area. The suspect ran out with no money, but still carrying the bag.

A short time later the suspect was observed breaking into a van at 8512 South Olive Street and police were notified. Responding officers surrounded the van, but the suspect refused to exit the van. Both SWAT and the Bomb Squad were notified and responded. At about 2:10 p.m., the suspect exited the van and was taken into custody without incident by SWAT personnel. The suspect’s bag was located near the van. It was determined that the bag only contained two computer-type cables.

Yarbrough had inflicted minor injuries while jumping a fence as he fled from the bank. He was treated and released from a local hospital. Yarbrough was booked for Attempt Bank Robbery at Central Jail. Detectives’ investigation revealed that Yarbrough is also responsible for four other bank robberies in the Pasadena and West Covina area.

Anyone with additional information is requested to contact Robbery-Homicide Detectives, at 213-485-0780. On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at the Detective Information Desk, at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).

This news release was prepared by the Los Angeles Police Department’s Media Relations Section, at 213-485-3586.