Police Seek Help Finding At-Large UTC Robbery Suspect

Authorities asked the public Thursday for help in finding the alleged getaway driver in a failed University City-area bank heist during which a security guard shot one of two robbery suspects.

Robert Hodge, 28, allegedly waited outside a Wells Fargo branch in the 8400 block of Genesee Avenue in a teal-colored 1999 Honda Civic while two accomplices tried to rob the office late Tuesday afternoon, according to San Diego police.

One of the suspects, 42-year-old Laura Joyce Elshire, allegedly handed a demand note to a teller shortly before 5 p.m. In the written message, she and her cohort claimed to be armed with a gun, SDPD Lt. Kevin Mayer said.

He alleged that Elshire's 27-year-old companion, Casey Allen Wilson, then told the clerk to hurry and repeated the demand before switching on an electric stun gun he was carrying.

A bank security officer realized what was happening, identified himself and told Elshire, who was wearing a blond wig and carrying a blue bag, to lie down on the floor along with Wilson, police said. Instead, the male suspect turned and began striding quickly toward the guard, prompting him to open fire with two shots, according to the SDPD.

Wilson then ran out of the building with wounds to his face and one of his arms, and got into the waiting car, which sped off, police said.

Inside the bank, meanwhile, the security man again ordered Elshire to surrender. She allegedly refused  and replied, "shoot me," then tried to flee. The guard hit her over the head with the butt of his gun, tackled her and took her into custody, police said.

About 45 minutes later, the Civic pulled up in front of Sharp Memorial Hospital in Serra Mesa. Wilson got out, and the man behind the wheel drove off.

Wilson was admitted to the trauma center and remains there under guard. He's expected to survive and may be arraigned in the case as early as Friday, Mayer said.

Elshire was treated at a hospital for a minor head injury and then booked into the Las Colinas women's jail in Santee.

Preliminary evidence suggested that the security guard's responses to the attempted robbery broke no laws, the lieutenant said.

Anyone with information about Hodge's whereabouts was asked to call San Diego County Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477. Tipsters may remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

Police advised anyone spotting Hodge to consider him armed and dangerous, avoid approaching him and immediately call 911.

-City News Service