Possible Robbery Victim Was ‘Confident’ That Man Didn’t Have a Gun

A Lakeside woman hit cancel on an ATM machine after a man approached her Tuesday night at the Bank of America at Grossmont Center, poked her with a simulated gun and ordered her to withdraw $300, police said.

“She said [the feigned gun] was underneath his clothing,” said police Sgt. Tedd Fenn. “She didn’t believe he had a gun.”

Police received the call about the attempted robbery in the 5500 block of Grossmont Center Drive about 8:45 p.m., Fenn said.

He said that when the assailant realized the victim, 33, was giving him no money, he fled eastbound on foot. Officers checked the area but couldn’t find him. The woman was not injured. 

The would-be robber is described as a thin white man about 25-30 years old, between 5 feet 7 inches to 5 feet 9 inches, and 160 pounds. He has sandy blond hair, light brown eyes, a light complexion and was wearing a dark gray hoodie sweatshirt.

Fenn said the woman told police the assailant put his hand up against her body to feign a weapon.

Despite the chance she was wrong, she pushed the cancel button on the outdoor ATM, police said.

“She was confident he didn’t have a gun,” Fenn said.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to call the La Mesa Police Department at 619-667-1400. You may also call Crime Stoppers’ anonymous toll-free tip line 888-580-TIPS (sdcrimestoppers.com).

You can remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest in this case.