Bank Robbery Suspect Caught After He Pauses to Have Alcoholic Drink

A 19-year-old California man who allegedly tried to rob a Southern California bank was caught after he paused in the lobby of the bank to have what police called "a college-age beverage."

Police in Riverside, California, say they were called to a robbery in progress at a Bank of America on Friday. A male suspect had allegedly passed a note that stated he had a gun and demanded money.

The suspect, identified as Sonny Gutierrez Jr., then waited to receive his cash while waiting in the lobby of the bank and "consuming an adult beverage" police said in a statement. That allowed employees the chance to contact 911 and alert police to the robbery in progress.

No firearm was discovered on Gutierrez, police said.

"A big shout out to the bank employees for remaining calm the entire time and relaying the suspect’s description and location inside to our dispatchers," Riverside police said in a statement.

Gutierrez was arrested and booked into jail on suspicion of attempted robbery. He was released Saturday on $30,000 bail.

Photo: Riverside Police Department