Two Different People Robbed At Gunpoint At La Mesa ATMs Within Hour

Two ATM patrons were robbed at gunpoint in separate incidents just over an hour apart in La Mesa, police said Thursday.

In the first of the incidents, a man using the cash machine at the Wells Fargo bank at 5610 Lake Murray Blvd. was approached by a man asking for change about 10:50 p.m. Wednesday, police said.

The victim told the suspect he had no change, and the suspect pulled a black semi-automatic handgun and demanded the man's wallet, police said. The robber then ran off to the west.

Shortly before midnight, a woman depositing money into an ATM at the Bank of America at 5500 Grossmont Center Dr. was approached by a gun-wielding man who demanded cash, police said. The victim handed over a small amount and the suspect headed east, police said.     

Law enforcement officers, some using dogs and others in a helicopter, searched the surrounding areas but could not locate the suspect in either incident. Police said it was unknown if the two robberies were committed by the same suspect.

Anyone with information was asked to call the La Mesa Police Department at (619) 667-1400, or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.

–City News Service