Would-be bandit rips cash in two after previous snub…
When 28-year-old Ronald Jacobs attempted to rob a 69-year-old woman at a Merced ATM drive-thru for money to buy marijuana, it probably seemed like a sure thing. But after the August 17th strong arm robbery, all that Jacobs had to show for his efforts were half-torn pieces of cash and a booking at the Merced County Sheriff’s Department Correctional Facility.
Ronald Jacobs' two potential victims thwarted his efforts at robbery
The incident first began at a Wells Fargo Bank on the 500 block of West 18th Street. As the victim approached the drive-thru ATM, she noticed Jacobs loitering in the area. As soon as she withdrew the money, Jacobs approached the victim’s vehicle and demanded the cash.
The suspect subsequently began to grab at the victim’s arm and grasp at the money. The victim held tight onto her money, and Jacobs was forced to rip the money in half before fleeing the scene.
When officers arrived at the scene, they attempted to canvass the area to locate Jacobs, but their search proved unsuccessful. Officers also tended to the victim, who received scratches as a result of the attack and did not require immediate medical attention.
It wasn’t until later that evening that a tipster told police that they saw Jacobs in their area. Officers responded to that area, where they located and detained Jacobs. Upon arresting Jacobs, authorities learned that Jacobs was from Modesto, where he already had an arrest record.
Upon questioning, Jacobs admitted to robbing the 69-year-old victim and an additional victim so that he could purchase marijuana.
Jacobs chose this Merced Wells Fargo to target his potential victims
According to Lt. Tom Trindad of the Merced Police Department, Jacobs had tried to rob another victim just before he targeted the elderly woman.
“This victim refused to give him any money and walked into the bank,” said Lt. Trindad.
Police Officers are asking anyone with any information regarding this incident to contact Detective Solis at (209) 385-4703, or the Merced Police Department Tipster Line at (209) 385-4725. The public can send information via anonymous text messages to police department by dialing “TIP411” (847411) and including the word “ComVIP” as the “keyword” in the text message.
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