Cameras no help in bank robbery

Surveillance video will be of little help to police investigating a bank robbery because the equipment was faulty, Carson City's sheriff said Monday.

"This is a good time to remind people to check their equipment," said Sheriff Ken Furlong. "A man walked into the bank without his face covered and the equipment failed."

Furlong said without the video, a case that could have been "relatively easy" to solve was made more difficult.

The FBI, which is conducting a parallel investigation into the Friday morning robbery of First National Bank of Nevada, has taken the tape in an attempt to recover the images, Furlong said.

According to police, a man walked into the Carson Street bank about 9:30 a.m. and stood in line with other patrons awaiting his turn at the window.

When he reached a teller, he slid a note to her which read, "Put the money in the envelope," according to Sgt. Bob White. The bandit then stated, "I'm desperate. I have a gun. I'll use it."

The teller followed bank procedures and put an undisclosed amount of money from her drawer into an envelope provided by the robber.

No weapon was seen.

The man is described as white, 30 years old, 6 feet tall, slender build, wearing prescription glasses, a light-colored baseball cap, dark jeans and a black-and-white plaid shirt or flannel jacket.

Furlong said investigators frequently encounter faulty recording equipment.

"If you don't want to be a victim and have purchased things to prevent you from taking losses, this will remind you to service your equipment," he said.

Secret Witness is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the individual. Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff's Department at 887-2020 ext. 1400 or Secret Witness at 322-4900.