San Jose bank robber chooses wrong getaway vehicle — light rail train

Sandra Gonzales 

Mercury News

Posted: 06/01/2010 07:27:43 PM PDT

Updated: 06/02/2010 08:00:20 AM PDT
 

Ermec Antonio Avalos, 25, was arrested on suspicion of bank...

(San Jose Police Department )

This was no run-of-the-mill bank robbery escape Tuesday in San Jose. 

With no getaway car waiting, the bank robber picked a novel way to try to elude police — a light rail train. It turned out to be a big mistake. 

"It's not something I've heard of before," police spokesman Dirk Parsons said.

After entering a Wells Fargo Bank branch in the 100 block of South Market Street about 1 p.m., the lone robber gave the teller a note, claiming he had a gun. The teller turned over the money and the robber ran off with an undisclosed amount of cash, police said.

But the thief didn't get far.

Police were ready for him at the St. James Park light rail station after learning he had boarded a northbound train.

Shortly after, they found their suspect on the train.

Ermec Antonio Avalos, 25, of San Jose, was taken into custody without incident and booked in Santa Clara County jail on suspicion of robbing the bank, according to police. Officers retrieved the money. No firearm was found.