A man was arrested Friday morning for robbing a bank in downtown El Centro, said Cmdr. Paul Longoria of the El Centro Police Department.
Francisco Velasquez, 33, of Calexico was arrested at the intersection of Sixth and State streets as he allegedly fled from Union Bank after stealing an undisclosed amount of money, Longoria said.
Multiple people called in that a man had broken the front window of the bank at about 8:30 a.m. Friday, before the bank opened, Longoria said. He demanded money before fleeing the scene.
The El Centro Police Department stopped Velasquez, and multiple witnesses identified him as the man who broke into the bank, Longoria said. Velasquez had two outstanding warrants.
Velasquez was arrested and turned over the to local Federal Bureau of Investigation office, Longoria said.
"It's protocol when it's a financial institute like that," he said.
Witnesses both inside and outside of the bank were very helpful in the police catching the alleged robber, Longoria said. They kept dispatchers informed about the man's location, while keeping a safe distance.
--ELIZABETH VARIN, staff writer

Recent Comments