Full Notification

On Friday, September 11, 2009, at approximately 11:27 am, the Ripon Police Department was notified of a robbery that had just occurred at the Bank of the West located at 411 W. Main St. The suspect was last seen fleeing the area on foot.

Ripon Elementary and Ripon High School were immediately locked down due to their proximity to the bank. Ripon Christian Schools were also locked down for precautionary reasons.

Officers responded to the location, and established a perimeter. A search was conducted of the area and officers were unable to locate the suspect or suspects. After completion of the search all schools were released from the lock down.

The suspect is described as a Black Male Adult, approximately 6’ tall, and of a slender build. The suspect was wearing a white baseball style cap, a black bandana over a portion of his face, a white tee shirt, with a two-tone gray jacket, and dark colored blue pants.

The single suspect entered the bank and demanded money. The suspect did not display a gun, but may have simulated that he had a gun in his possession. After receiving an unspecified amount of money the suspect exited the bank. The suspect was last seen on foot on N. Acacia Ave.

The department is currently working on recovering photographs from the bank and the City of Ripon’s MESH camera system.

If you have any information regarding this investigation please contact Detective Sgt. Steve Merchant at 209-599-0262.