Photographs of bank robber released
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on December 4, 2005 2:11 AM
MOUNT OLIVE -- Police officials are optimistic that photographs of a robbery suspect who robbed Peoples National Bank on Thursday will expedite his arrest.
As of Saturday night, Mount Olive police were investigating tips and leads from the community, said Detective Sergeant James Stephens.
The FBI, contacted to assist police in the investigation, provided photographs of the suspect late Friday afternoon. Special Agent Doug Rambo said the additional photographs, as well as cooperation from the community, should lead to quicker apprehension of the subject.
Mount Olive bank robber
The North Center Street bank was robbed around 3 p.m. on Thursday. Tellers described the suspect as a black male, 6-feet-tall and wearing black pants and a red sweatshirt. He reportedly came into the bank with a bandanna covering his face and was armed with two pistols.
He was said to have left the bank with an undetermined amount of cash. A bank alarm was activated and police were on the scene within minutes, Chief Emmett Ballree said.
Reports said the man initially fled south on James Street by way of an alley, before leaving the area in a black Toyota truck.
No customers were in the bank at the time of the robbery and no one was injured.
This was the third armed robbery at the same location in the past four years. In both previous cases -- when it Centura Bank and Triangle Bank -- the suspects were caught and prosecuted.
Police are confident that will be the case this time as well.
Rambo said a reward is being offered as part of the robbery reward program through the N.C. Bankers Association and N.C. Association of Financial Institutions. The reward is up to $5,000 for the arrest and indictment of the individual responsible.
Confidential information can be called in to 800-209-2293.
Other contact numbers are the Mount Olive Police, 658-5031, Crime Stoppers, 735-3255, and FBI in Greenville, 252-353-6900.