​By: Wayne D. Ayers II

Photo Credit: The Grio

Riverside County, California sheriff’s deputies arrested a attempted bank robber who used a blackface disguise to evade capture.  

Jerrad Schmittle, 40, was arrested Wednesday, Nov. 8 at his Lake Elsinore home after investigators viewed surveillance footage from an attempted bank robbery in August at a Corona, California Wells Fargo Bank.

On Aug. 18, Schmittle wore a blackface disguise and a blue beanie when he entered the bank. According to sheriff’s officials, he went up to a teller and handed the bank employee a note that demanded that the teller hand over an undisclosed amount of money. Schmittle also told the teller that he had a gun on his person. 

After waiting for a few seconds, he panicked and ran out of the bank without retrieving any money. 

The San Bernardino Sun reports that Schmittle was not identified until Nov. 1. He was arrested on suspicion of attempted robbery and booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center in French Valley last week.