An unnamed Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office deputy shot and killed a suspected bank robber just before 9:30 a.m. on Aug. 22.
The Sheriff's Office responded to a reported robbery at CoastHills Credit Union on Clark Avenue in Orcutt at 9:14 a.m., according to a press release. The suspect had reportedly fled from the bank with an undisclosed amount of money and was armed with a knife.
A deputy found the suspect running down a hill toward the 5100 block of Bradley Road, according to the release. The deputy shot the suspect and several deputies immediately provided the suspect with medical care, according to the release. The suspect was taken by ambulance to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries.
A knife was found on scene, the press release said.
Public Information Officer Kelly Hoover said that the Sheriff's Office is still in the process of identifying the suspect and investigating the robbery and shooting as of the Sun's Aug. 22 press time. She said more information would be available at a later date.
"The incident unfolded very quickly," Hoover said.
Scott Coe, chief marketing officer at CoastHills Credit Union, said the Orcutt branch was closed for business after the incident but would reopen on Aug. 23 at 9 a.m. as usual. No employees or members were injured in the incident, Coe said.
Employees are trained to hand over all requested money when threatened with a weapon, Coe said. Then they're taught to lock the doors and call law enforcement immediately.
"It's part of the industry," Coe said. "But we were all trained and well prepared. Everybody is safe, and it's a testament to the fine training we do."
Coe wouldn't say how much money the suspected robber fled with.
"It was certainly not enough to risk your life for," he said.
