Sonoma bank robber nabbed trying to flee on public bus

Her route included an unplanned stop at the County jail.

The woman apprehended on a public bus after allegedly robbing Sonoma’s Union Bank on Wednesday has been identified as Porschia Jhonette Napalan, 43 of San Francisco.

Police say she emerged from the bank at about 1 p.m. with a bag of money and boarded a Sonoma County Public Transit bus heading south. Police followed the bus, pulling it over near Watmaugh and Stage Gulch Road. 

Napalan, who had the bank bag, was immediately detained by deputies. Witnesses were brought to the scene who positively identified her as the suspected robber.

There was no weapon displayed or scene during the heist, police said. The suspect was described as a black female adult, wearing a blue shirt and black pants. She walked into the branch at Broadway and Napa Street and told a teller, “I’m robbing the bank.”

Deputies are continuing with the investigation, which includes gathering video evidence and obtaining written statements from witnesses.

“Great job by all involved who helped us arrest this person,” said Police Chief Orlando Rodriguez.