Bank Robber Eludes Police

were unable to catch a suspected bank robber chasing him to the Oakland and Piedmont area.

The pursuit began about 2:30 p.m. Thursday when officers responded to reports  of a robbery taking place at the  at 1748 Railroad Ave., Livermore. The bank also activated its alarm, police said.

"The man entered the bank, got in line and pointed a gun at a teller demanding money," said Lt. Matt Sarsfield. "He then ran out with an undisclosed amount of cash."

During the initial search for the robber, police shut down a portion of Railroad Avenue.

The robber was last seen heading south on Railroad Avenue and into the area, toward First Street, Sarsfield said.

While officers secured the area surrounding the bank, police received information that a GPS signal was attached to the stolen money, Sarsfield said.

About 2:45 p.m., the GPS signal was picked up traveling westbound on Interstate 580 toward Castro Valley.

Livermore police began a pursuit with the help of the California Highway Patrol.

At 3:17 p.m., officers, with the help of Oakland police, set up a perimeter around an apartment complex in Oakland.

During the afternoon pursuit, about 15 people stayed inside the bank in Livermore, which police closed temporarily to gather statements from witnesses.

The robber is described as a white or light-skinned Hispanic man, 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet tall and weighing about 180 pounds.

He was last seen wearing a sweatshirt, hat and sunglasses, Sarsfield said.

No injuries were reported.

The FBI was called to the scene to investigate.