SECURITY GUARD SAVES DAY, STOPS VALLEY BANK ROBBERY.

Byline: Jason Kandel Staff Writer

STUDIO CITY - Beaten with a gun and shot in the chest, 59-year-old security guard Eduardo Ramos foiled a holdup Thursday of a Bank of America branch.

Attacked outside the bank and saved by a bullet-proof vest from serious injury, Ramos chased off the robber in an exchange of bullets.

The gunman disappeared into Studio City streets after the 9:15 a.m. robbery attempt and a manhunt involving the FBI and Los Angeles police was under way. The suspect was described as African-American, wearing a gray running suit, a bandanna over his mouth and possibly a plaid camouflage jacket.

``We're were running ragged,'' said Los Angeles Police Department Lt. Carlos Velez. ``Nothing has panned out so far.''

Ramos, who has worked as a bank guard for The Wackenhut Corp. for about six years including two of them at the bank, was treated for his injuries and released from a local hospital.

Police did not know whether the suspect was hit by gunfire, so they notified area hospitals to be on the lookout for patients with unexplained gunshot wounds.

Authorities were amazed that no bystanders were hit during the firefight. The bank, located in the 12300 block of Ventura Boulevard, is in a busy strip of Studio City surrounded by businesses, restaurants and shoppers.

``Whenever there's an exchange of gunfire, we're always surprised,'' said Velez, who supervises the LAPD Robbery-Homicide Division's bank robbery section. ``No innocent bystanders were hurt. We were very fortunate on this one.''

The bank has been robbed three times in recent years, primarily because of its access to the freeway.

``I've been going to robberies here for seven to eight years,'' said FBI Supervisory Special Agent John McEachern.

The incident began just after 9 a.m. when the gunman approached the bank and slugged Ramos with the butt of his gun.

Ramos fell to the ground and the robber fired a shot into his chest that was deflected, then ran into the bank, police said.

When Ramos stood up, the gunman came back outside and the shootout began. It was unclear how many rounds were fired, but Ramos emptied his gun. Bullet casings littered the ground as investigators scoured the scene for clues.

Authorities were reviewing video surveillance cameras posted inside and outside the bank.

Bank of America spokesman Ken Preston said bank officials are cooperating with the investigation, and he praised Ramos for his work.

``We're very grateful for his stepping up and taking a role in what happened, preventing - first the robbery, and also preventing injury to our customers as well as our associates in the bank,'' he said. ``Because of what he did, the suspects were forced to change their plans.''

The bank remained closed Thursday but was expected to reopen today.

Brian DuBois, who co-owns the Los Angeles Coin Co. doors away from the bank, said he might have spotted the suspect cowering behind some bushes behind his store.

``I figured maybe it was a homeless guy,'' he said. ``I had no great description for police. That was it.''

Officials urged customers who drove by during the incident and who might have seen the shooter to contact them about what they might have seen and heard. Anyone with information is asked to call the 24-hour toll-free number, 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).

CAPTION(S):

photo, map

Photo:

An LAPD robbery-homicide investigator points out a bullet hole to a police photographer Thursday after a bank security guard foiled a robbery attempt by shooting back at the gunman.

David Sprague/Staff Photographer

Map:

Site of bank shooting

Daily News