WEST COVINA — Police Thursday released a surveillance photo of a man who robbed a bank earlier this week while clutching an envelope he claimed contained a bomb.
The crime took place about 5 p.m. Tuesday at the Bank of America, 2901 E. Eastland Center Drive, West Covina police Cpl. Rudy Lopez said in a written statement.
The robber “presented a note to a teller demanding money and that he had a bomb,” the corporal said. He fled the bank with an unknown amount of cash.
After the robber left, he said, employees noticed the man had left a bulky manila envelope with wires protruding from it on the counter near the teller’s window.
“Bank employees evacuated the building and notified West Covina Police,” Lopez said.
Police and a bomb squad from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department responded, and the bomb squad ultimately determined the envelope contained no bomb, officials said.
The surrounding area was cordoned off during the investigation.
Police described the robber as a white man, 30 to 35 years old, 160 to 180 pounds and 5 feet 10 inches to six feet tall.
Anyone with information is asked to call West Covina police at 626-939-8557. Tips can also be left anonymously by calling 626-939-8688, or by texting “TIPWCPD” and your tip to 847411.

SURVEILLANCE photo courtesy of the West Covina Police Department