FRESNO, Calif.—A man tried to rob an office of Educational Employees Credit Union here by holding an employee at knife-point.
Investigators have alleged that 32-year-old Jesse Anthony Flores waited outside the credit union as staff arrived for work and then grabbed an employee.
"He has a bandana on, glasses, he's masked up and he grabs the victim. She's 54. Puts a knife to her throat, says, 'I just want to get into the bank. I just want to get into the bank,’" Fresno police Lt. Joe Gomez told Your Central Valley.
The victim, who was not identified, told co-workers not to unlock the front door, according to police.
"Their procedure is, there's somebody already here, the doors are locked. And then the employees walk up and give a thumbs up, it's OK to open. Initially, they did give a thumbs up then saw the suspect, masked up, and said ‘Don't open, don't open," Gomez told the publication.
Other credit union employees called police and Flores was arrested within minutes. No one was injured. Educational Employees CU closed the branch for the day, the newspaper reported.
Flores is being held on more than $80,000 bail in the Fresno County Jail.