Security guard shoots at serial bank robber in southwest valley

METRO POLICE

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A man suspected in a string of bank robberies was shot at Tuesday morning by a security officer at a southwest valley branch when he tried to rob it, according to Metro Police.

It is unknown whether any of the two rounds fired by the security guard struck the suspect, police said.

Officers were dispatched about 11 a.m. to the America First Credit Union, 6090 S. Durango Drive, near Patrick Lane, police said.

An initial investigation determined that the suspect walked up to the entrance wearing a hooded sweatshirt, a mask and sunglasses, police said. He encountered a locked door, which he tried to force himself through by breaking it.

That's when the security guard stepped in and challenged him, police said. When the suspect did not back away, the guard fired off two rounds, police said.

The suspect fled in a gray Jaguar sedan, according to photos provided by Metro.

Investigators believe the same man is connected to at least two robberies from last week.

On May 2, the man went into a U.S. Bank, 2885 E. Desert Inn Road, near McLeod Drive, brandished a gun, handed a note to a teller and walked away with an undisclosed amount of cash, police said.

The next day, he went into a bank in the 2700 block of West Sahara Avenue, near Rancho Drive, robbed it in a similar manner and fled in a stolen gold, four-door Toyota Camry, the same vehicle used in Tuesday's robbery, police said. Except this time, he crashed the car into a wall and fled on foot.

Anyone with information is asked to call Metro at 702-828-3591. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555 or crimestoppersofnv.com.