California Bank and Trust on Riverside Drive in Chino was open on Thursday after the terrifying ordeal. Police are calling the suspect bold, brazen and extremely dangerous.
"Chino police detectives are using every resource at their disposal to track down any single lead that we might have, and that includes the use of bloodhounds. Thankfully, we have the FBI involved so we're also using their resources," said Michelle Van Der Linden of the Chino Police Department.
The suspect, wearing a ski mask and what appeared to be body armor, walked into the bank at about 11:15 a.m. Wednesday with an AK-47 in hand. He demanded money from tellers and then ushered everyone to a room toward the back of the building.
"But the employee said before they got to the back of the room, the guy turned around very quickly and ran to the front door ... as soon as the guy got to the front door, the employee said that he heard the firing," said Michael Spain, who lives across the street from the bank.
Chino police say an officer was patrolling the area when he saw the gunman running from the bank. The suspect opened fire on the officer, reportedly striking him in the leg. The suspect fired at least six to nine shots at the patrol car.
The wounded officer was able to drive himself to Chino Valley Medical Center. He remains hospitalized in stable condition.
The robber then jumped into a vehicle and sped off, but not before dropping plenty of cash in the bank's parking lot.
The suspect was described as a white male between 35 and 40 years old with blue eyes, about 6-feet to 6-feet-2-inches tall and weighing 200 to 250 pounds. He was last seen wearing light-colored jeans with a dark navy shirt and what appeared to be some sort of protective vest.
The getaway vehicle was described as a late model (2009 - 2011) gray four-door Nissan Maxima with chrome wheels, tinted windows and an Arizona license plate.
If you have any information about this case, you're urged to contact the Chino Police Department at (909) 628-1234.
