'Bomb'/heist

The bank robber is caught by surveillance cameras Monday at the SunTrust Bank on Broad Street.

By: Tony Gonzalez | News Virginian
Published: March 10, 2009

The call from Virginia State Police bomb squad members rang out at 6:23 p.m.: “Fire in the hole! Fire in the hole!”

Then came a muffled explosion from inside SunTrust Bank on Broad Street in Waynesboro, where about three hours earlier a bank robber made off with money, leaving a suspected bomb in a black case at the base of the bank tellers’ counter.

The bomb squad, after detonating a “disruption shot,” found the case was not explosive, said state police Lt. Joe Rader.

Shortly before 3:45 p.m. a man wearing what police believe to be a dreadlocked wig entered the bank, demanded money and indicated he had a bomb, Waynesboro police Sgt. Kelly Walker said. He left a black case and a note and ran out the bank’s back door toward Main Street.

Despite the first officer arriving within a minute of the alarm, the suspect is yet to be found. Police said he was wearing a white T-shirt and jacket, a “skull cap” and leather gloves with the fingers cut out. He did not show a weapon.

Police would not say how much money the robber received.

No bank employees or law officers were injured during the heist or investigation. No customers were in the bank during the robbery.

Police created a “safety zone” around the bank and diverted traffic off Broad Street for nearly three hours, at one point expanding the perimeter to include most of the Ace Hardware parking lot.

At 5:45 p.m., state police special agents Bob Henderson and Dale Blosser began suiting up in dark green and black bomb suits, which include a large collar, round helmet and back shell, resembling a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.

Police did not employ a robot or K-9 unit to check the building, instead sending Henderson and Blosser in with a reel of “shock tube,” which soon set off a controled explosion.

Authorities could not say if the bank would reopen today.

Anyone with information is asked to call Waynesboro police at 942-6675 or Central Shenandoah CrimeStoppers at 1-800-322-2017. Callers with information leading to an arrest could receive cash awards up to $1,000. The information can be given anonymously.