Bank robbed in Carlsbad after similar attempt in Encinitas

Law enforcement officials are looking for an unknown man who robbed a Carlsbad bank and apparently tried to rob a bank in Encinitas roughly an hour earlier.

The suspect entered the Bank of America at 1340 Encinitas Blvd. at about 10:30 a.m. on Feb. 26 and presented a note to a teller demanding money, according to a Sheriff’s Department press release.

He was described as nervous and impatient, and before the teller gave the suspect any money, he became frustrated and exited the bank empty handed.

The man was seen driving away in a black SUV, but his direction of travel was unknown, states the release.

No one was injured, according to Sheriff’s Sgt. Rich Eaton.

The suspect was described as a white male, 40 to 60 years of age, about 5 feet and 7 inches tall, with a thin build. He was also seen wearing a baseball cap, black-rimmed glasses and a plaid flannel shirt.

About an hour after the attempted robbery in Encinitas, the Carlsbad Police Department reported a suspect of similar description was behind a robbery about 3 miles away at U.S. Bank, at the intersection of El Camino Real and La Costa Avenue in Carlsbad.

The suspect passed a demand note to the bank teller who provided the suspect with an unknown amount of cash, according to a city of Carlsbad press release.

Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward for information leading to a felony arrest.

The Carlsbad Police Department and the FBI are investigating.