According to the officer that came to our office across from the Van Nuys Civic Center (map of area here), the entire area around the Chase Bank in Van Nuys CA has been evacuated. Anyone seen by a police officer in that area will be herded out of the area and directed to walk as far away from the Chase bank as possible, meaning, just gome home for the day for now.
The local Van Nuys Police officers are going to the local businesses in the area and letting them know that they want everyone to stay inside their offices for now. If the people decide to exit their offices they will be directed to walk past the yellow caution tape and will not be allowed to return until its deemed safe to do so.
Some of the local businesses in the area is a bail bonds office, several attorney offices, the local Station #39 Fire Station, the entire Van Nuys Civic center including the Van Nuys Superior Court and Municipal Court, Al’s Chicken, Subway, Tres Hermanos, Quiznos, and several others.
Whenever more information is available we’ll update this story.
Update: 3:48pm
The Chase bank that has the bomb scare is on the corner of Sylvan Street and Van Nuys Blvd.
Update: 4:17pm
Bomb squad has shown up and the robot has been released right outside the S&H Bail Bonds company.
Update: 4:21pm
After speaking with one of the officers outside the S&H Bail Bonds office, the news is that the Chase Bank on corner of Sylvan and Van Nuys was robbed this afternoon and the robbers said that they left something in the mailbox of the bank. So everyone was evacuated and the bomb squad was called in.
Update: 10:40am next day
The bomb squad ended up being in front of S&H Bail Bonds until aroun 6:15pm. From the office of S&H Bail Bonds one could see the TV monitor with an image provided by the robot that was proceding towards the Chase Bank. The Bomb Squad was approximately 100yrds (300 feet, a football field) away from the bank. The robot was to make it to the bank and then inspect the mailbox outside of Chase Bank. As we watched the video monitor you could see the robot’s arm reach, open the mail box and take the mail box out and search inside. Alas, the robot did not find anything and was able to return to the Bomb Squad truck safely. Good Job!
See pictures of bomb squad below.
Bomb Squad for Chase Bank next to S&H Bail Bonds