Attempted Robbery at Bank of the West

A Los Angeles man fled after allegedly attempting to rob  in South Pas Tuesday. 

At about 10:40 a.m. Tuesday, officers responded to a call of an attempted bank robbery after witnesses reported that the suspect—later identified as Reginald Darnell—peered into the bank before heading to the rear of the bank and putting on a hooded black sweatshirt.

The suspect then reached into his backpack and a witness/employee heard what he believed to be the sound from a gun being loaded, according to reports. The witness then ran into the bank and locked the doors.

The suspect allegedly discovered that he was being watched and fled the area on foot. When officers arrived in the area, witnesses led them to the suspect, who was detained without incident.

"The suspect was found to be in possession of a replica semi-automatic handgun, and he admitted to the attempt, stating that he had fallen on hard times and was being evicted from his apartment," police said in a press release.   

Editor's note: Suspect Reginald Darnell's driver’s license shows a Monrovia address, but during booking he gave a Los Angeles address, according to police.