First Republic Bank Robbed

A 27-year-old man is in custody after robbing the First Republic Bank at 776 El Camino Real in Redwood City on Monday.

According to the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office, Marco Antonio Rubio-Baez of Redwood City walked into the bank and handed a teller at the counter a note demanding money. The note said the teller had five minutes to comply, and that the suspect did not want to hurt the teller.

The teller put $4,000 cash into the robber's bag and handed it to him.

As the suspect walked out of the bank, the teller triggered the bank's silent alarm.

The teller then reportedly got brave - he followed the suspect out of the bank. He called the Redwood City Police Department (RCPD) on his cell phone and followed the suspect at a distance, reporting to officers on the line where the suspect was going and what he looked like.

Thanks to the brave work of the teller, RCPD caught up with Rubio-Baez quickly at the entrance to Sequoia Station.

After searching the suspect, police found the bag of money on him, as well as a small bag of methamphetamine.

According to the DA's Office, Rubio-Baez apologized to the police officers, and said he needed the money for rent, cell phone bills, and "to send his mother to Mexico."

Rubio-Baez was arraigned on felony charges in San Mateo County Court in Redwood City on Tuesday, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges. He is expected to be in court again on April 11 for a preliminary hearing.

If that had happened to you, would you have followed the suspect? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.

Also on Redwood City-Woodside Patch:

• City & Rotary Club Cancel Popular Farmers Market
• That House Sold for HOW Much?!
• Man Tries to Smuggle Drugs Through SFO in False Bottoms of Suitcases
• Op-Ed: New Electronic Sign Going Up at Roosevelt School is Bad News for Neighbors

Stay informed on the latest crime, news and events in your local neighborhood - follow Patch!

Sign up for Redwood City-Woodside Patch’s daily newsletter
"Like” us on Facebook
"Follow” us on Twitter

Want to share your opinions with the communities of Redwood City and Woodside? Start your own blog here.