Placerville police arrested a 26-year-old man Saturday who reportedly crashed his car into a Bank of America and unsuccessfully tried to rob it - and a few minutes later botched another attempted heist at a Big 5 Sporting Goods store.
The suspect, Cole Richardson, was taken into custody around 9:30 a.m., after he crashed his car into an El Dorado County sheriff's vehicle in the 4700 block of El Dorado Road following a 2.5-mile chase, authorities said.
Richardson, a Placerville-area resident, was trying to elude a California Highway Patrol officer who spotted him on Missouri Flat Road shortly after the second robbery attempt, said a press release.
Officials said Richardson crashed his vehicle through the glass doors of the Bank of America on Sacramento Street in Placerville at 8:52 a.m. and drove about 30 feet into the bank before fleeing without taking any money.
Police said Richardson showed up at the sporting goods store about two miles away on Placerville Drive 10 minutes later.
He reportedly simulated a gun and demanded money. He left there empty-handed, too, after failing to open the cash drawer.
The CHP officer spotted Richardson's car based on information provided by a witness at the Big 5, Placerville police said.
Nobody was injured in the incidents, according to police.
Call The Bee's Andy Furillo, (916) 321-1141.
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