ALEXANDER COUNTY, N.C. — Alexander County deputies are searching for an armed bank robber.
They said the suspect robbed Taylorsville Savings and Loan in the Bethlehem community north of Hickory around 10 a.m. Friday.
Deputies told Channel 9 the bank robber may have been in the parking lot for 25 minutes before committing the robbery.
Deputies shared images of the suspected robber inside the bank, where he can be seen pointing a gun at the teller.
The suspected robber is described as a white male, approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall, with a slim build, possibly in his late 30's, wearing blue jeans, grey hooded sweatshirt and a dark-colored balaclava-type mask.
"It's hard to get a really good description of who is is besides the vehicle they're driving," said resident Anthony Minton.
Deputies said the robber presented a dark-colored gun and demanded case, which he told the clerk to place in a pastel, purple-colored fanny pack.
They also showed Channel 9 pictures of the getaway car. Witnesses described the getaway car as a light grey or silver compact sedan -- possibly a Volkswagen Jetta, early 2000 model with daytime running lights and a North Carolina license plate.
The suspect drove out of the parking lot and headed south on NC Highway 127 toward Catawba County.
Alexander County Sheriff Chris Bowman said one challenge in the case is the very cold temperatures. There's a lot of people are wearing clothing similar to the robber.
"As cold as it's been, everybody has toboggans and these half-masks to keep their faces warm and it makes it a little more difficult," Bowman said.
So far deputies have not made an arrest in the case.
Investigators believe the suspected robber possibly waited outside the bank for all the customers to leave before going inside.
The North Carolina Bankers Association offers a reward through our Robbery Reward Program for information leading to the arrest and indictment of any individuals who were involved.
Anyone having information concerning the robbery may contact the FBI, confidentially, at 1-800-209-2293 or submit a tip here.
Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:
- 9 Investigates: New company has ties to indicted paving business
- CMPD Chief: 20-year-old woman with knife shot, killed by officer
- Deputies: Taser did not stop Rowan County man with hatchet
- CLOSINGS, DELAYS: CMS on 2-hour delay Friday
- FORECAST: Frigid Friday morning temps break 119-year-old record
WSOC
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/LH3JSJEF3VBLRJLJQESEAG34AM.png)
