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Bank Robbers Strike At Branches In Busy Areas Across Charlotte

Tuesday, June 5, 2007 – updated: 6:21 pm EDT June 5, 2007

Authorities have been busy investigating four bank robberies in Charlotte in a 24-hour period.

The Wachovia on Montford Drive, not far from the Park Road Shopping Center, was held up around 9:30 a.m. Tuesday. Officers said a man with a gun walked in and was extremely aggressive while he demanded money. They said he yelled and cursed at those inside the bank, who cowered on the floor.

Fortunately, no shots were fired and no one was hurt.

Police responded quickly and set up a perimeter. They also searched the building, but no arrests were made.

Officers only have a vague description of the robber. They said he is a black man who was wearing a red bandana and a long white T-shirt under baggy, dark clothing. He drove off in a white four-door Honda Civic.

The incident shook Pam Heary, who works nearby.

“I’ve been a victim of a robbery before and it’s just too close for comfort,” she said.

A credit union in west Charlotte was also robbed early Tuesday. The Clearview Federal Credit Union on Boyer Street, just off the Billy Graham Parkway, was held up shortly before 10 a.m.

Police say no one was hurt and so far they have not made any arrests.

On Monday, a SunTrust in the Cotswold area was robbed in the morning and a Wachovia on Tyvola Road was held up in the afternoon. No one has been arrested in either of those robberies.

Investigators say at this point it doesn’t look like any of the four bank robberies were committed by the same person. But that means four bank robbers are still loose after hitting locations in busy areas of Charlotte, and authorities are especially worried about the man who hit the Wachovia on Montford Drive.

Bank customers say the crimes are unsettling.

“This is like the Wild West – bank robberies. I’m from New York City and we didn’t have so many bank robberies,” said Janet Lama.

Heary said now she’s nervous about banks.

”Makes me want to not go to a bank – do everything online. Don’t want to go in and be a victim,” she said.

Federal Bureau of Investigation agents said they believe a dye bomb went off in the bag of money the bank robber took away from the Montford Drive branch, so he may still have dye on his clothing.

Anyone with information that could help should call the FBI or Crime Stoppers at (704) 334-1600.

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