Crime & Safety

Sausalito Police Arrest SF Man, Allege Odd Pennies-to-Dimes Bank Burglary Scheme

Police say a 49-year-old man cashed in $65 in dimes at Bank of America but teller later discovered that rolls were mostly filled with pennies.





By Bay City News Service

Police in Sausalito arrested a San Francisco man who allegedly robbed a bank on Friday.

Carl Bellenir, 49, allegedly walked into the Bank of America at 750 Bridgeway at about 10:25 a.m. and went to a teller looking to cash in $65 in rolled dimes, police said.

Prior to giving Bellenir the money, the teller inspected the rolls. However, after he had gone, the teller broke open a roll and found it was pennies flanked with dimes, according to police.

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As the teller was giving officers her report of the crime, she spotted Bellenir walking on the sidewalk, entering a Wells Fargo Bank, police said.

Officers were able to contact Bellenir, who told police he works at the Sizzler restaurant in San Leandro and his boss paid him $65 in dimes.

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The restaurant denied Bellenir is an employee there, police said. After talking with Bellenir, police determined he went into the bank with the intent to steal money, according to police.

Police said Bellenir got the pennies, dimes and empty paper coin rolls at the Wells Fargo Bank and used them at the Bank of America. He then obtained another $10 in pennies when he was seen leaving the Wells Fargo.

He was arrested and booked into Marin County Jail on suspicion of commercial robbery.

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