Bank robbery suspect armed with a fake bomb fatally shot by police in north Orange County

On March 26, 2024, at approximately 5:09 PM, Fullerton Police Officers responded to the Wells Fargo Bank, located at 141 W. Bastanchury Road, regarding a robbery in progress, according to the Fullerton Police Department.

A male wearing a mask entered the bank and demanded money from the teller. He told the teller that he had a bomb, and he produced a white box which appeared to contain an explosive device. The suspect threatened to detonate the device. At the time, the bank was open and there were employees and a customer inside the business. Officers arrived within two minutes and were able to make contact with employees inside the business via telephone. At one point, the suspect exited the business holding a white box containing stolen money and the suspicious device. When he exited the bank, an officer involved shooting occurred.

Due to the threat of a possible explosive device, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Bomb Squad responded to render the suspicious devices as well as the crime scene safe.

The Bomb Squad located an item constructed to resemble an actual explosive device, referred to as a facsimile device, in the suspect’s possession at the time of the officer involved shooting.

A male, believed to be in his 70’s, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The Orange County Coroner is responding and will release the identity of the suspect pending the notification of the next of kin.

The California Department of Justice responded and will conduct the investigation of the officer involved shooting per AB 1506 to ensure our officers acted within the law.

The Fullerton Police Crimes Against Persons Unit is investigating the criminal actions of the suspect that preceded the officer involved shooting.

No officers or witnesses were injured during this incident.

Per State Law, we will be releasing all relevant videos, recordings and images within 45 days via a Critical Incident Community Briefing Video.

This investigation is on-going. Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact Fullerton PD Detective N. Kaprielian at (714) 738-6763.

Those wishing to provide information anonymously can call the Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1(855) TIP-OCCS or can visit their website at www.p3tips.com/913.