Bumbling Bank Robber Wearing a Gorilla Mask Leaves a Trail of Evidence
Photo: 1301 East 14th Street
SAN LEANDRO — A bumbling bank robber who wore a gorilla mask was arrested after he left a trail of recorded video evidence. The suspect dropped a shotgun as he was leaving the bank and passed a police car as he was fleeing.
Conspicuously, he was wearing the mask as he entered Comerica Bank, located at 1301 East 14th Street, on January 7. He never brandished the shotgun during the robbery, which he apparently kept concealed inside a black gym bag.
Instead, the bank robber approached a teller and verbally demanded money. He fled the bank with an unspecified amount of cash. Though it seems he dropped the bag and the shotgun fell out onto the sidewalk as he was leaving.
The suspect quickly scooped up the shotgun, hopped into an old black sedan, and then drove away. The robbery and getaway were entirely recorded by security cameras. The suspect also passed a police car responding to the robbery, which was equipped with a license plate reader.
Detectives noted the license plate number on the getaway car and obtained additional evidence to identify the suspect.
On January 15, officers located and arrested Jose M. Rodriguez-Montano, 50 of Rodeo. San Leandro police Lt. Ted Henderson said in a prepared statement. “We believe Rodriguez-Montano acted alone in this robbery and we are not looking for additional suspects.”
Rodriguez-Montano remains in custody at Santa Rita Jail in lieu of $470,000 bond. His charges include robbery and four weapons-related charges, including carrying a concealed weapon. His arraignment was scheduled for January 17.
