San Luis Obispo police are searching for a man they said robbed the Golden 1 Credit Union on Foothill Boulevard at gunpoint Thursday afternoon.
Police said a man carrying a handgun entered the bank at 3:15 p.m. and told everyone inside to get on the ground. He then handed a plastic bag to a bank employee and demanded money, authorities said.
The alleged robber left the bank with approximately $4,000, police said. No one was injured during the robbery.
Law enforcement officials created a perimeter in the area around the bank to search for the subject, who they said was last seen running north toward Boysen Avenue.
SLO Donut Co., a doughnut and coffee shop across the street from the bank, posted a Facebook status and Tweet to its followers in the hours after the alleged robbery. SLO Donut Co. employee and psychology junior Keiko Fukuchi said the credit union’s parking lot was entirely closed down after the alleged robbery, and she heard helicopters circling above the business.
“It’s a lot emptier than it usually is today,” Fukuchi said.
Police described the suspect as a man with average height and a stocky build. They said the suspect was wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt, jeans and had a dark bandana covering his face. Authorities also said the man has the letters “LA” tattooed on one of his hands.
Police said anyone with information about the alleged robbery is encouraged to call them at (805) 781-7312.
Victoria Billings contributed to this article.