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Evidence left behind may ID F’ville bank robberThu, 08/16/2007 - 1:24pm
By: John Munford
Police hoping for DNA match on criminal database
Click HERE to see the photo of the gunman. The man who robbed the Southcrest Bank in Fayetteville shortly after 9 a.m. Wednesday came prepared to execute the crime. But he was sloppy, dropping an estimated three-quarters of the money in a wooded area behind the bank as he made his getaway, said Beverly Trainor of the Fayetteville Police Department. The gunman also left behind the white glove that he wore on his right hand during the heist, Trainor added. Though the gunman remained unidentified as of Thursday afternoon, the glove and other evidence is being processed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for possible DNA samples, Trainor said, noting that the glove was “really sweaty.” If DNA can be recovered, it could then be compared against databases containing DNA samples of known criminals to perhaps identify the gunman, Trainor said. The FBI also is processing ballistics evidence in the case, and will also be offering a reward in the case, Trainor added. A video of the robbery released by Fayetteville police showed the suspect walking into the bank wearing a white glove on his right hand while carrying a yellow plastic bag, with his left hand concealed apparently in his pocket. About three steps after entering in the bank he pulls out his left hand to reveal a silver handgun, which was either in his pocket or concealed under his baggy oversized shirt. Almost immediately after entering the bank, the gunman fired one shot into a wall, but no one was injured, Trainor said. Another camera angle of video showed the gunman approaching the teller’s counter, throwing the plastic bag on the counter, aggressively thrusting the pointed gun in the teller’s direction and giving what appear to be verbal commands (the video does not contain any sound). At one point he turns around and points the gun towards what appears to be a desk area and then he turns back to the teller, grabbing the yellow bag with the cash inside before he leaves the bank. Police and sheriff's deputies combed the area looking for the suspect on foot with K-9 dogs and overhead with the helicopter from the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department, but he could not be located, police said. It was initially thought that the gunman may have been involved in a second robbery of a bank in East Point hours later in which two arrests were made, but that has proved not to be the case so far, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is still a possibility, however, that one of them may have committed the SouthCrest robbery, Trainor added. Police described the suspect as a tall thin black male with a black hat with a "G" University of Georgia logo, and wearing a blue button-up shirt. He also wore sunglasses. K-9 units were unsuccessful in trying to pick up the suspect's scent and the sheriff's department's helicopter assisted in the search, police said. Nearby schools, including East Fayette Elementary, Hood Avenue, Fayetteville Intermediate, Fayette County High School and the Lafayette Education Center were put on lockdown, which lasted about half an hour, police said. The school lockdown occurred just as police received reports the suspect was possibly near the Just Brakes business and moments later at a practice field at Fayette County High School. School spokesperson Melinda Berry-Dreisbach said the system's administrative office also remained under lockdown. The gunman fled the bank, located at the intersection of Ga. Highway 85 and Kathi Avenue, with an undetermined amount of money, Trainor said. An automatic phone system was used to call local businesses to alert them to be cautious and on the lookout for the suspect and the automated message also shared a description of the suspect. There were four employees inside the bank, but no customers, at the time of the robbery, police said. login to post comments 
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