Update by the Santa Barbara Police Department
On September 8, 2023, at 11:53 AM, the Santa Barbara Combined Communications Center received a report about a robbery that had just occurred at First Bank located at 3304 State Street.
The initial investigation revealed a male suspect entered the bank wearing a mask and demanded money. The teller provided an undisclosed amount of cash that was in the teller’s drawer. The suspect then fled on foot away from the bank with the money.
The suspect is described as a mid-40s male, heavier set, wearing a long sleeve black jacket, tan khaki pants, and black shoes.
Santa Barbara Police Detectives responded to the scene and are actively investigating this robbery. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was also alerted. The suspect is currently outstanding.
This is an active investigation, and no further information is available at this time. It is believed there is no threat to the surrounding neighborhood as this seems to be an isolated incident directly related to the bank.
If anyone has any information about this robbery, please contact the Santa Barbara Police Detective Bureau at 805-897-2347.
By Bob on the Scanner
Only caught a bit of this but a bank robbery just took place (Friday, 9/8) at the First Bank on Upper State Street.
This is located at 3304 State, at the intersection of Las Positas/San Roque Road, where all the flags are.
This happened around noon. SBPD on the scene searching for the suspect who took off into the San Roque neighborhood towards Stevens Park.
Maybe the guy with the gun that chased those pesky kids off his property will go after the robber!
Suspect is described as an overweight male wearing a khaki pants, a black jacket, and a Halloween mask that looked like an elderly person.
KEYT verify’s your description with the exception of “Black shoes”… w/the usual call us @…
and a “not to worry”, so comforting.
https://keyt.com/news/santa-barbara-s-county/2023/09/08/first-bank-on-state-street-robbed-friday-suspect-remains-at-large/
I thank you again & way to go on the date correction 🙂
I call a friend that has a business next door and he said he didn’t hear anything but also saw it here!
Thanks Bob – so this was today “9/8/2023”, Running?
Yes today. Asked for a fix on the date typo.
That’s all I’ve heard so far. SBPD will likely send out a press release with photos soon.
~Bob on the Scanner
Unclear how much money was taken or if the suspect had a weapon, although none was reportedly seen by the bank teller.
I find it interesting that police swarmed a business on the same block and arrested someone shortly after, it feels like it should be connected to the robbery. See Tagdes’ report on a altercation at the Little Rainbow spa
This was not the spa incident individual.