YOUR AD HERE »

Police still searching for bank robbery suspect

Staff report

A man described as skinny with rotting teeth and bad skin attempted to rob El Dorado Savings Bank in Bijou Center Friday around 4:35 p.m.

Wearing black ski pants, a gray knit hat and dark sunglasses, the white male threatened to use a weapon but was unsuccessful at procuring any cash, according to South Lake Tahoe Police Department.

As of Sunday, the suspect was still on the loose, according to police dispatch.



While the Tahoe Daily Tribune has reported on past robberies at that location, it could not be confirmed with bank management exactly how many have occurred.

The last robbery at South Shore was Sept. 23, 2005 at the El Dorado Savings Bank on AL Tahoe Boulevard.



The robber was never found. On Dec. 2, 2004, a man robbed U.S. bank and wasn’t found.

In 2003, four bank robberies at three El Dorado Savings branches occurred between June 25 to Sept. 17. Police arrested a man, Russell Garrett Waggoner, at a Sparks casino. He was later convicted of the robberies.

Officer Mike Dente said the suspect was in his 30s and around 5 feet, 8 inches tall.

His hair and eye color could not be determined.

Dente said if you find yourself witnessing a bank robbery, the best thing to do is be cooperative.

“It’s not worth someone’s health or life over a few dollars,” he said.


Support Local Journalism

Support Local Journalism

Readers around the Lake Tahoe Basin and beyond make the Tahoe Tribune's work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.

Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.

Your donation will help us continue to cover COVID-19 and our other vital local news.