A homeless man was arrested after robbing the Citibank at Santa Monica Boulevard and 5th Street of $3,800 on Saturday afternoon, October 20. Although 45-year-old Mark Collett handed the teller a demand note stating that he had a gun, no weapon was ever displayed and none was found by the arresting officers.
Collett reportedly walked into the bank alone, demanded money, and threatened the bank employees. He received the money and walked out of the bank. During the robbery, a bank employee walked into a back room, called 911 at 1:19 p.m., and told police that there was a robbery in progress.
Responding officers saw Collett in the area of 6th Street and Santa Monica Boulevard where the suspect was taken into custody after a short struggle. Officers recovered the $3,800 taken during the robbery. Collett is currently homeless.
This is an ongoing investigation and anyone with information is encouraged to call the Santa Monica Police Department at 310.458.8427 (24 hours) or Robbery/Homicide Detectives at 310.458.8451 (M-F 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call the WeTip hotline at 1.800.78.CRIME (27463).
