Police follow bank robbers to campus

John Montgomery/State Hornet

The growth of supermarket bank branches is bringing additional security concerns beyond which CD to pick up after selecting oranges. This morning's robbery of an Bank of America inside of the Folsom Boulevard Lucky's off campus is a rarity said Andy Higgins, Bank of America's assistant vice president for corporate security. But this morning's armed robbery, others like it in Southern California and the potential for similar events to occur are considerations when Bank of America and other banks like Wells Fargo share real estate with retailers. "With a supermarket branch, you're dealing with all sorts of witnesses," Higgins said. The situation comes as Bank of America opens ATMs and full-service branches inside of Lucky's and Wells Fargo opens locations inside of Raley's and Bel-Air markets. This morning's robbery occured at 9:02. Three males robbed the branch then fled on bicycles, according to a retired police captain who then followed the suspects to CSUS. Higgins called the event an early-morning takeover. "It sounds like they were waiting for the branch to open," Higgins said. "The branches don't open until nine." Higgins said the alternative branches are the result of slimmer profit margins and rising real estate costs. He said that walking into a building for just one service, such as banking, is also becoming less popular. With the shared branches, the costs of real estate are shared between the retailer and the bank. "That raises security concerns," Higgins said. "You are potentially bringing more people into the mix."

Suspected bank robbers on the run from police caused the closure of the CSUS parking garages mid-Monday morning.

Three male suspects were spotted driving a gray Mazda or Isuzu onto campus. The three were followed by a retired police captain after they were seen leaving the Folsom Boulevard Lucky's after the Bank of America branch inside was robbed at gunpoint.

The suspects left Lucky's on bicycle, with the retired police captain following, said Michele Quattrin, public information officer for the Sacramento Police Department.

The bicycles were dumped around 57th and M Streets. The suspects then got into the gray import and started driving, Quattrin said.

The suspects were seen entering CSUS from the J street entrance by the retired police captain.

Joshua Ray, a music major, said he saw a beat-up, gray Honda enter the parking garage closely followed by police officers.

"He was driving erratically through campus, flipping off vehicles, and swearing loudly," said Ray.

The suspects were then seen driving into the parking garage, Quattrin said.

Sacramento police sealed off the parking structure and brought in the SWAT team and a K-9 unit to search car to car.

University Transportation and Parking Services officers diverted traffic to the east side of campus.

The parking structure was reopened at 10:40 after the parking garage was cleared. The suspects were not apprehended.

Marci Smith, a senior in Social Science, said she felt that even with this latest incident, CSUS is still a safe campus.

"Campus police are always very helpful, and make their presence apparent," said Smith.

Sacramento Police Department spokeswoman Michele Quattrin said it is too early to tell if this incident is related to other robberies of banks inside grocery stores that have occurred recently.

"We will be coordinating with the FBI as this investigation continues," said Quattrin.

David Sommers, Sarah White, John Montgomery and Nathan Walls contributed to this report.