Simi Valley Man Arrested In Connection With U.S. Bank Branch Robbery
SIMI VALLEY (CBSLA.com) — Authorities say they've arrested a Simi Valley man in connection with the robbery of a U.S. Bank branch on Friday afternoon.
Simi Valley police said in a written statement that the suspect, identified as Jeremy Mora, is expected to be booked on suspicion of robbery and five counts of kidnapping.
The 20-year-old is accused of entering the bank in the 5800 block of E. Los Angeles Avenue wearing a ski mask and holding what looked like a handgun wrapped in a plastic bag, police said.
The incident unfolded about 4:35 p.m.
"After entering the bank, the suspect confronted five bank employees and ordered them into the vault after obtaining an undisclosed amount of cash," the statement said. "The employees were able to safely lock themselves in the vault and keep themselves safe from the suspect."
Mora allegedly fled on foot but was captured after a brief struggle with officers, police said.
Police also said stolen money was recovered at the scene, adding that the weapon allegedly used in the heist was a metal pipe that was partially wrapped in a plastic trash bag to look like a gun.
Anyone with more information about this case was asked to call Detective Dave DelMarto of the Simi Valley Police Department at (805) 583-6218.
