Bandit fires gun during attempted ATM robbery in northeast Fresno, police say

A man escaped a would-be bandit armed with a handgun after the suspect fired the weapon during a botched robbery late Monday night near Fashion Fair.

Police said the crime took place at the Bank of America at East Shaw and North Angus avenues about 10 p.m. The man had just taken money out of an ATM when he was confronted by the robber, who was wearing a red ski mask, and demanded the cash. When the victim said no, the robber fired the weapon once into the ground. The victim ran around his car with the bandit in pursuit for a brief time before abandoning the robbery attempt.

Police spokesman Jeff La Blue said the victim was lucky that he was not injured, but added that it was a tough call whether to advise potential victims of such crimes to comply with such a suspect, or try to escape.

This story was originally published June 9, 2020 at 10:08 AM.