Sobering lessons from a bank robbery
Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2010 2:24 pm
Friday, the Shasta County, California, District Attorney announced that police action during a recent bank robbery was justified. (This conclusion was expected and a legal formality.)
In December 2009, one Gregorio Arguetta Estrada, 47, of Chico, took public transportation to Burney, a small town in the middle of nowhere, over 100 miles from Chico.
Estrada owned two vehicles. Police have not been able to explain why he took public transportation.
Around noon, Estrada entered the U.S. Bank in Chico. He apparently selected the bank at random.
Four employees and two customers were in the bank when Estrada entered. Quoting the DA's report, "He walked directly up to Burney resident Timothy Kerstin, 53, and pointed a handgun at the back of his head.
"[Shasta County District Attorney Jerry] Benito said Estrada had failed to chamber a round, and the gun didn't fire. He chambered a round and fired again, striking the man in the back of the neck.
"Estrada then turned his attention to customer Gloria Brown, 67. He shot Brown in the wrist. She reportedly fell to the floor of the bank and didn't move for three hours, hoping Estrada would think she was dead."
Estrada took $19,000 in cash, which he placed in a laptop bag.
"Rather than leave, Estrada directed a teller to call police, then began asking bank employees about the whereabouts of their car keys. But he reportedly never attempted to obtain a vehicle."
Estrada then shot through a window at a responding police officer, striking the police car.
"When Kerstin tried to stagger to his feet, Estrada had an employee identified only as Charlene walk him out for medical attention. After taking him out of the bank, she reportedly returned and went to her teller station.
"An employee identified as Lisa spent the time huddled in a secure ATM area, and was able to call police to give a description of the gunman, and relate some of what was going on.
"Witnesses said Estrada fired off rounds every time the bank phone rang, or police outside used a bullhorn.
"After Estrada had fired multiple shots out windows, Sheriff's Special Weapons and Tactics deputies ... said they had a clear shot at the suspect through a broken window.
"Estrada was hit in the chest by a shot fired from one of the men and dropped to the ground.
"SWAT members then rushed the building and found Estrada still alive, apparently attempting to reach one of his guns. They pulled him away and he died in an ambulance..."
http://www.contracostatimes.com/califor ... ck_check=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.chicoer.com/news/ci_14482958" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Many answers went with Estrada to his grave.
He was reportedly unemployed, in debt, and estranged from his family. However, his actions were not those of a typical bank robber. Did he intend to play out some sick fantasy and go down with a bang? No one knows.
- Jim
In December 2009, one Gregorio Arguetta Estrada, 47, of Chico, took public transportation to Burney, a small town in the middle of nowhere, over 100 miles from Chico.
Estrada owned two vehicles. Police have not been able to explain why he took public transportation.
Around noon, Estrada entered the U.S. Bank in Chico. He apparently selected the bank at random.
Four employees and two customers were in the bank when Estrada entered. Quoting the DA's report, "He walked directly up to Burney resident Timothy Kerstin, 53, and pointed a handgun at the back of his head.
"[Shasta County District Attorney Jerry] Benito said Estrada had failed to chamber a round, and the gun didn't fire. He chambered a round and fired again, striking the man in the back of the neck.
"Estrada then turned his attention to customer Gloria Brown, 67. He shot Brown in the wrist. She reportedly fell to the floor of the bank and didn't move for three hours, hoping Estrada would think she was dead."
Estrada took $19,000 in cash, which he placed in a laptop bag.
"Rather than leave, Estrada directed a teller to call police, then began asking bank employees about the whereabouts of their car keys. But he reportedly never attempted to obtain a vehicle."
Estrada then shot through a window at a responding police officer, striking the police car.
"When Kerstin tried to stagger to his feet, Estrada had an employee identified only as Charlene walk him out for medical attention. After taking him out of the bank, she reportedly returned and went to her teller station.
"An employee identified as Lisa spent the time huddled in a secure ATM area, and was able to call police to give a description of the gunman, and relate some of what was going on.
"Witnesses said Estrada fired off rounds every time the bank phone rang, or police outside used a bullhorn.
"After Estrada had fired multiple shots out windows, Sheriff's Special Weapons and Tactics deputies ... said they had a clear shot at the suspect through a broken window.
"Estrada was hit in the chest by a shot fired from one of the men and dropped to the ground.
"SWAT members then rushed the building and found Estrada still alive, apparently attempting to reach one of his guns. They pulled him away and he died in an ambulance..."
http://www.contracostatimes.com/califor ... ck_check=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.chicoer.com/news/ci_14482958" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Many answers went with Estrada to his grave.
He was reportedly unemployed, in debt, and estranged from his family. However, his actions were not those of a typical bank robber. Did he intend to play out some sick fantasy and go down with a bang? No one knows.
- Jim
Goes to show you, it can happen to anyone at anytime, anywhere. Situational awareness folks. Always condition yellow.