ESCONDIDO, Calif. – A 77-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a bank robbery that occurred Wednesday morning in Escondido, authorities said.
Gary Smyers was identified as the suspect and taken into custody after police tracked down a vehicle matching the description used in the getaway.
The incident happened at approximately 10:37 a.m. at a U.S. Bank located in the 2300 block of East Valley Parkway. According to the Escondido Police Department, Smyers entered the bank, passed a note to a teller claiming he had a gun, and demanded money. The teller complied, and Smyers fled the scene in a black Toyota Prius.
Shortly after, an Escondido patrol officer spotted a vehicle matching the description near Rose Street and Valley Parkway. Police conducted a high-risk traffic stop and detained Smyers, who was alone in the car.
Inside the vehicle, officers reportedly found the stolen cash, the robbery note, and a mask used during the heist.
Smyers was booked into the Vista Detention Facility on suspicion of robbery.
Anyone with additional information is urged to contact the Escondido Police Department at 760-839-4722 or reach out to Detective Cory Spinos at 760-839-4499, referencing case #25005152.
