Napa County law enforcement officials have identified a suspect in an American Canyon bank robbery in late August and are working to bring him into custody.

The Napa Sheriff’s Office Investigations Bureau is looking for Marcel Jones, 22, of American Canyon. He was last seen in Vallejo on Wednesday, when he appeared for a court hearing, Det. Chris Carlisle said.

Detectives pinpointed Jones as a suspect after they say he robbed a Sacramento bank, he said. On Sept. 2, Jones entered the River City Bank on K Street in Sacramento and demanded money from the teller, said Sgt. Norm Leong, a spokesman for the Sacramento Police Department.

The suspect took the money and left the area. A witness recognized him and was able to identify him to investigators, Leong said.

Sacramento investigators contacted Napa detectives when they found their case was similar to that of the robbery in American Canyon Aug. 24, Carlisle said.

On Aug. 24, Jones is believed to have walked into the WestAmerica Bank and given the teller a note. He left on foot with an undisclosed amount of money.

At the time, he was wearing a black, thigh-length leather coat, dark jeans and was carrying a backpack.

Investigators from both agencies have physical evidence linking Jones to the crimes, Carlisle said.

Jones grew up in the American Canyon area and attended Vintage High School, Carlisle said. He also has ties to Napa, Oakland and Sacramento.

“He’s kind of living on the streets right now, and there’s no specific area or region he might be,” Carlisle said.

Investigators have interviewed Solano County court officials who saw him Wednesday when he appeared for a hearing. Jones has a record of minor offenses, he said.

He is described as black, 5 feet 8 inches tall and 145 pounds. Police said he often uses public transportation.

Officials worry that he may be armed and dangerous. They have no confirmed evidence Jones has a gun, but they found ammunition during a search of a residence he was connected to, Carlisle said.

“It's a concern,” he said. “There's usually a gun that goes with ammunition.”

A $500,000 warrant has been issued for his arrest.

Carlisle asks anyone who knows anything about Jones' whereabouts to contact him at 253-6030. If citizens see Jones, do not approach him, but call 911, officials asked.