Suspects sought in armed takeover bank robbery in West Los Angeles

WEST LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- An investigation is underway into a violent bank robbery at OneWest Bank in West Los Angeles Thursday afternoon.

Police say three suspects, one described as a black male in a blue-hooded sweatshirt, allegedly robbed the branch in the 11300 block of National Boulevard at about 1:50 p.m.

The suspects, who witnesses say were wearing ski masks, burst into the bank, tasing the security guard and pistol-whipping two people before making off with an undisclosed amount of cash.

"The multiple male suspects entered the location armed with Tasers and handguns," said LAPD Lt. Robert Long.

The suspects fled in a light green Toyota Camry driven by a female. They were last seen driving westbound on Clover Avenue onto southbound Corinth Avenue, LAPD said.

According to detectives, this is the second takeover robbery of this bank in the last month, the third in the last two years. Investigators are now checking to see if they're all connected.

"Bank robberies, in general, for the city of Los Angeles are at a historic low. Takeover robberies, especially for the city of Los Angeles, are at an all-time low. I believe this is only the third one this year," Long said.

The LAPD is working with the FBI and reviewing the bank's surveillance cameras.