Sonoma’s Umpqua branch latest in string of bank robberies

Lone robber fled on foot|

The Umpqua Bank at 135 W. Napa St. in Sonoma was held up Monday morning.

Sonoma police and sheriff’s deputies were sent to the bank shortly after 10 a.m.

According to bank employees, the suspect entered the bank and handed the teller a note demanding money. After receiving an undisclosed amount of cash, the suspect took back the note and fled the bank.

Sonoma Police Chief Bret Sackett said the suspect was described as a white male adult in his mid- to late-20s or early-30s. He was described as 5 feet 6 inches to 6-feet tall with a slender build. The suspect was wearing a dark “hoodie” style sweatshirt, grey pants and dark sunglasses. The suspect appeared to be wearing a black and grey wig.

Preliminary indications were that the robber fled on foot, jumping the fence at the Sonoma Valley Inn.

A witness in the area reported seeing a person matching the suspect description discard items of clothing and continue to flee through a nearby business.

Deputies from Sonoma Police Department and Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office canvased the area, but were not able to locate the suspect. The Sheriff’s helicopter, Henry-1, also responded.

Detectives from the Violent Crimes Investigation Unit and the Crime Scene Investigations Unit arrived and assumed lead in the investigation.

Sackett said anyone with information about the investigation is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office Violent Crimes Investigation Unit at 565-2185, and refer to Sonoma PD case 17-0001297.

This is the third bank robbery in Sonoma in the past two months. The Rabobank on West Maple Street was robbed on July 25 while the Wells Fargo Bank on West Napa Street was robbed on Sept. 9. The suspected robbers in both instances were apprehended.

Email Bill at bill.hoban@sonomanews.com.

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