A man wearing a gas mask — and armed with what he claimed was a chemical agent — robbed a bank in downtown Oakland on Thursday morning, authorities said.
The robbery was reported about 11:15 a.m. at the Beneficial State Bank at 1438 Webster St.
The suspect threatened a bank teller and demanded money, authorities said, before fleeing on foot possibly to a waiting vehicle.
Police did not release an estimate of how much money was stolen.
Witnesses described the suspect as a black man in his early 30s, about 6’2″ and weighing 230 pounds. He wore an orange and black construction outfit and a neon yellow vest.
Police are offering up to $2,500 in reward money for information leading to the arrest of the suspect. Anyone with information can contact Oakland police at 510-238-3326, or Oakland Crime Stoppers anonymously at 510-777-8572.