Crime & Safety

UPDATE: Cross-Dressing Suspect Robs Monrovia Bank, Threatens Tellers with Anthrax

A male suspect "dressed as a woman" allegedly robbed the Monrovia Chase Bank Wednesday morning.

A cross-dressing man robbed the Chase Bank on Huntington Drive Wednesday and allegedly threatened bank tellers with anthrax, police said.

A male suspect "dressed as a woman" walked into the bank branch after 10 a.m. Wednesday, demanded money and said he had a briefcase full of anthrax, Monrovia Police Lt. Michael Lee said.

"He said there was anthrax in the briefcase, please give me the money," Lee said. "He took the briefcase and fled."

Find out what's happening in Monroviawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The suspect was wearing a woman's running suit and Ugg boots, according to Lee. His fingernails were also painted.

Lee said police initially thought they knew who the suspect was but bank employees did not identify anyone in a photo lineup. The suspect is not believed to be involved in any previous bank robberies.

Find out what's happening in Monroviawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"It's definitely a whodunnit," Lee said.

FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller told the Pasadena Star-News that a driver was waiting for the suspect and drove him away in a late-model Chrysler PT Cruiser.

Eimiller told the newspaper that police did not believe the robber's anthrax claims to be "a credible threat."

Check back later for more on this breaking story.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.

More from Monrovia