A man armed with a knife walked into a Wells Fargo branch in downtown Oakland yesterday, grabbed an employee by the collar and threatened them before walking out with an undisclosed amount of cash, police said. The suspect fled on foot and was last seen heading along Franklin Street near the bank as investigators canvassed the area. No arrests have been announced, and detectives are asking the public to share any information or footage that might help the case.
Suspect Described By Police
According to the East Bay Times, the robbery happened just after 9:26 AM at the Wells Fargo branch at 901 Franklin St. Police described the suspect as a Black man in his 40s to 50s, about 6 feet tall with a medium build, bald with a salt-and-pepper beard, and wearing a gray T-shirt and light-colored jeans. He allegedly grabbed an employee by the collar and threatened them with a knife before leaving the branch.
Police Request Tips And Footage
Oakland police are asking anyone who was at or near the branch, or who captured video, to contact the Robbery Unit. The Robbery Unit tip line and OPD press releases list the phone number (510) 238-3326 and an email for submitting footage, according to the Oakland Police Department. Detectives stressed that preserved footage, not posted clips, can be crucial for identifying suspects.
Part Of A Larger Pattern
The downtown Wells Fargo robbery follows other bank hold-ups and daylight thefts in Oakland this year, including a note-passing heist on Piedmont Avenue in April. That case and others prompted local reporters to urge residents and businesses to check doorsteps and security cameras for anything that could help investigators, as reported by Hoodline.
What To Know
Anyone with information about Thursday's robbery or with video that might help should contact the Robbery Unit at (510) 238-3326, police said. The investigation remains active.
