L.A. Bank Robbers' 'Bomb' Was a Fake

We're learning new details tonight about the bizarre and frightening bank heist in l.A the woman, the bank manager, snatched by two gunmen at her home, and they strapped her to what she believed to be... See More

We're learning new details tonight about the bizarre and frightening bank heist in l.A the woman, the bank manager, snatched by two gunmen at her home, and they strapped her to what she believed to be a bomb around her waist. There is a new twist to it all tonight. Let's go to abc's david wright. Reporter: Today an armed guard stood sentry outside the bank of america branch in east l.A. A little late to catch the team that hit this branch yesterday. They were a bunch of cowards. And I hope they get you. I really do. Reporter: Their elaborate heist -- something straight out of a hollywood movie. The robbers, wearing ski masks, allegedly staked out branch manager aurora barrera's house. She told police they grabbed her around 8:00 a.M., As she was leaving for work, strapped a device on her, and followed in a separate vehicle. She was told it was a bomb. Reporter:8:30 a.M., Shortly before the branch opened. Barrera went in alone, took bags of cash out of the vault, and tossed them out the door to the robbers who never went inside. They then sped off in a white kia van, with what the fbi now says is a significant amount of cash. The bomb looked convincing enough, but when the bomb squad finally detonated it -- it turned out to be fake. You can see the front entrance of this branch has all the security measures you'd expect, but the robbers used a side entrance here where there are no cameras. They appear to have known enough about the bank's security to avoid getting their pictures taken. The bank robbers clearly did their homework. So how often do you catch these guys? 60% of the time we're able to identify the victims and catch them. Reporter: So 40% of the time, the bank robbers get away? Well, 60% of the time they do get caught. Reporter: With no surveillance pictures to go by, the fbi's strongest lead may be the branch manager. That's her being walked out to safety. She's now in protective custody. And the manhunt is on for those two masked men. David wright, abc news, los angeles.