On Dec. 21 at 9:20 a.m. Williams stopped by the bank in order to get large bills to give as Christmas gifts. While she waited in line, she chatted with an employee to pass the time. But when it was her turn to go up to the counter, Williams said she knew something was amiss. The teller suddenly closed her window, while other employees secured the doors of the bank. But because she did not see a weapon or hear a commotion, Williams said she didn't know a robbery had occurred or that the customer in front of her had committed the robbery.

"Everything looked normal," she said. "There was nothing unusual about the situation."

And the man looked just like an ordinary person, she added.

According to San Jose Police Department spokesman Sgt. Steve Dixon, authorities also believe this is the same person who robbed a Bank of America on Snell Avenue on Dec. 10. In both instances, the man was captured on surveillance video. Dixon described the man as white and in his late 40s to early 50s, weighing 190 to 200 pounds, with short brown and salt-and-pepper hair. He is about 5 feet 10 inches tall.

The reason customers like Williams might not know a robbery is occurring right in front of them is the man's modus operandi, according to Dixon. The man presents a note demanding money in both instances, and witnesses have not see the man carrying a weapon in either instance, Dixon said.

Despite th e incident's lack of violence, Williams said she was "shaken" by the episode. She has frequented the Bank of America on Lincoln Avenue for 20 years.

"Something dangerous could have happened," she said. "You don't expect something like this to happen in your neighborhood bank."

Anyone with information is asked to call San Jose Police Det. Ramon Avalos with the San Jose police robbery unit at 408. 277.4166.