That's when the robber reportedly grabbed the cash in the man's wallet, possibly leaving a latent fingerprint, she said.
In frustration, the man told police he threw a remaining $10 bill left sticking out of the wallet at the robber, which landed on his chest.
The feisty behavior and refusal to comply with the robber's orders, while not inviting an injury this time, are not recommended by police.
"Give him the money and be a good witness," Glendale Police Officer John Balian said.
The robber reportedly ran laughing back to a waiting BMW 7-series sedan — $10 bill in hand — that was parked in the lot, where an accomplice drove with headlights off onto North Brand before entering the eastbound Ventura (134) Freeway onramp.
All told, the man was robbed of $260, according to police reports.
Police think the robber's handgun may have been a toy or a BB gun, since the bank customer said it had an olive green tint.
The robber was described as being about 25 years old, 6 feet tall, 200 pounds and having a muscular build.
He was reportedly wearing a scarf or turtleneck over his lower face, a black hoodie and dark jeans. A bank manager at the branch said the property has video surveillance.
On Sunday, June 17, a cashier at a Chevron station near the intersection of Jackson Street and Glenoaks Boulevard was robbed at gunpoint at 11:54 p.m. of an undisclosed amount of money. The robber fled unseen, but his image was apparently captured on surveillance footage, Leon said.
Last Monday, a man robbed a desk clerk at gunpoint at a hotel on East Colorado Street before binding him with duct tape. The man received only minor injuries in the attack, and did not seek medical treatment.
And last Thursday at about 10:40 a.m., a man who was confronted by security personnel at a Rite Aid on the 500 block of North Glendale Avenue for allegedly stealing baby formula reportedly brandished a handgun before fleeing the store, according to police reports.
Glendale Police arrested the man and his accomplice in the store's parking lot, where the handgun turned out to be a replica, Leon said.
Police said the circumstances of each crime, coupled with suspect descriptions, point to the robberies being unrelated.
Beyond having a sense of safe surroundings, Leon said there didn't seem to be much residents could do to shield themselves from what seemed to be random incidents.
"Especially the people working behind the counter who don't have a choice, I mean what are you going to do?" she said. "It's all pretty random."
Anyone with information on any of the crimes can call Glendale Police at (819) 548-4840, or the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip hotline at (818) 507-7867.
