JUST LIKE DAYS OF OLD, BANK ROBBERY RETURNS TO THE MOUNTAINS - Flower Pillow Cases, Un-Masked Men And Escaping Cyclists |
(12/12/2002) |
Just like the days of the old west, bank robbery seems to be making a comeback in rural communities around the state, from
Braxton County to Randolph County to Lincoln County. A lone man, un-masked man, recently walked into a Gassaway Bank and held up the establishment, his picture caught on camera. Authorities quickly identified him. A Lincoln County bank robber recently escaped on a mountain bike, not unlike a horse in Saturday afternoon western movies. Virginia authorities just arrested a West Virginia couple Wednesday for allegedly robbing the Mountain National Bank in Beverly, Randolph County. Rubin Carroll Slade Jr., 42, and Hilda Joy Slade, 28, were arrested in a Staunton, VA motel State Police at Elkins said authorities believe Rubin Slade pointed a small pistol at employees of the bank and made off with an undisclosed amount of cash. Rubin Slade allegedly stuffed the cash in a dirty white pillow case with pink flowers. The Logan Bank and Trust in Harts was robbed Wednesday when a man entered the branch bank on W.Va. 10 and demanded money from employees. It was the second time in about a month. Workers complied and the robber escaped on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspect is described as a 45-year-old white male, about 5 feet 10 inches tall. He was wearing dark sunglasses, a black toboggan and a thigh-length tan or green coat, the FBI said. Investigators believe the suspected robber used a blue Ford Ranger pickup truck in connection with the robbery. The FBI considers the individual to be armed and dangerous. The same bank was held up Nov. 6 by a bicyclist. |