Police are searching for a would-be thief who attempted to rob a Rose Park bank Wednesday with a phony bomb.
An unidentified man walked into First Security Bank, 783 N. Redwood Road, about 3 p.m. and handed a note to a teller demanding money. The man also threatened to set off an explosive device he claimed was in his briefcase, Salt Lake Police Lt. Jim Jensen said.The average-sized man, believed to be in his late 20's, became nervous and ran out of the bank, leaving the briefcase behind, after employees refused to comply.
"We believe the bank robber sped off in a van. We don't have a positive (identification) yet, but we will be reviewing the bank's security camera to get a better idea who this guy is," Jensen said.
After evacuating the bank, a police bomb squad X-rayed and later opened the briefcase - but found only broken bricks, trash and other nonhazardous material.
Salt Lake bomb experts and agents from the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms participated in the investigation.
Police say Wednesday's foiled heist may be related to the attempted robbery/bomb threat of a Sandy bank two months ago.
On Sept. 24, a man resembling the suspect in Wednesday's hold-up left a powerful explosive at Zions First National Bank at 125 W. 10600 South after bank personnel refused his demands for money and tripped an alarm.
No arrests have been made.