US Bank at Hamilton Safeway Robbed

Novato police are hunting for a man believed to have robbed the US Bank branch inside the Safeway store at the Hamilton Marketplace Shopping Center on Tuesday afternoon.

The suspect is a white man wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans, Sgt. Jay Demski said.

Investigators believe the man approached a bank teller at about 1 p.m. and presented a demand note. The teller turned over an undisclosed amount of cash to the suspect, who then fled on foot, Demski said.

No one was injured, and police made no mention of a weapon in the initial release to the media.

Novato police received help from the Marin County Sheriff's Office in the pursuit, but thus far the suspect has not been found. The investigation is ongoing, Demski said.

The suspect's description is similar to that of a man who robbed US Bank branches at Safeway stores in Santa Rosa and Rohnert Park on Thursday. In addition, a man described as Hispanic robbed a Chase Bank inside a Raley's store on Fulton Road in west Santa Rosa on Feb. 1, Santa Rosa police said.

US Bank has offered a $25,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of anyone robbing any US Bank branch.

Novato police Lt. John McCarthy said detectives are investigating whether the robberies were committed by the same person, and they will be consulting with the other police departments this week.

The FBI participates in bank robbery investigations as well. "If it appears connected to other bank robberies or there are extenuating circumstances, they'll respond to the scene," McCarthy said. "If not, they'll take a look at the case at a different time."

McCarthy said it might be Wednesday by the time a surveillance photo of the suspect is shared.

Anyone who might have information about this incident is urged to call Novato police at 897-4361.

Bay City News Service contributed to this report. Copyright © 2012 by Bay City News, Inc. -- Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.

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