Robber walks away with the money

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE -- Authorities didn't have far to go to respond to a bank robbery Wednesday afternoon.

The bank is across the street from the police and sheriff's offices.

Authorities are seeking a man who robbed the El Dorado Savings Bank at 4:31 p.m. Wednesday.

He walked into the bank with a backpack and note -- and walked away with an undisclosed amount of money after handing the teller a note and behaving as though he had a weapon.

The robber was described as white, in his late 20s to early 30s, about 5 foot, 11 inches tall, with a medium muscular build. He had a dark goatee and was wearing a white baseball cap.

He was also wearing a gray or similarly bland-colored sweatshirt, light-colored cargo shorts, white crew-length socks and white tennis shoes. A dark backpack was over his shoulder.

He left on foot southbound on Al Tahoe Boulevard in the general direction of Lake Tahoe Community College, police said. No one was injured in the incident.

Officers from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department, El Dorado County Sheriff's Department, California Highway Patrol and FBI fanned out over the area in marked and unmarked patrol cars.

Authorities patrolled Bijou Community Park, Johnson Boulevard, the south side of Truckee Marsh, South Tahoe Middle School and Lake Tahoe Community College's campus, but could not find the man. Two people were detained, but later released.

Armed robberies have been infrequent but successful for South Lake Tahoe criminals.

In June 2002, Steven Mark Williams entered Bank of the West at 2161 Lake Tahoe Blvd. and took money after he told a teller he carried a gun. He had escaped from the Nevada County Courthouse while awaiting a hearing for bank robberies in Auburn and Grass Valley, Calif., and made his way to South Lake Tahoe.

He was later caught outside the basin and is serving time at Folsom Prison.

In January 2002, a man took money from a Mailboxes Etc. employee after shoving a gun in her face. About 10 minutes later, Bank of the West on Lake Tahoe Boulevard was robbed by a similar-looking and -clothed man.

Police have not caught the suspect.

Authorities did apprehend Randy Rutherford, who in November 2001 also robbed Bank of the West for $3,600. He was convicted four months later.

n Anybody with information is asked to call Detective Danny Mosqueira at (530) 542-6100 or the FBI at (530) 542-4140. People who wish to remain anonymous can call Secret Witness at (530) 541-6800.