Peachtree Bank robbed Friday morning

Published 10:10 am Friday, August 27, 2010

Clanton Police and Chilton County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a robbery at Peachtree Bank shortly before 9:30 a.m. Friday.

According to witnesses, a tall black male wearing all black entered the building and demanded money from a clerk. Video footage from the incident shows the man handing the clerk a note demanding money. It is unknown whether he was armed because he kept his right hand concealed.

The suspect took an unknown amount of money and reportedly fled on foot, running south toward The Clanton Advertiser office, just two buildings down from the bank on U.S. Highway 31.

Another witness reported seeing a gold or champagne-colored vehicle parked in the newspaper’s parking lot, thought to be either a Lincoln Town Car or a Ford Crown Victoria. The robber had apparently left the getaway vehicle in the parking lot.

The vehicle reportedly sped out of the parking lot and made a right turn onto Highway 31. The vehicle’s direction of travel from that point is unknown.

“We’ve got some good video and good evidence, so we’ll keep working,” Clanton Police Chief Brian Stilwell said.

Stilwell said the Sheriff’s Department assisted with the search for the vehicle. The FBI also offered to assist.

The suspect has an approximate height of 6’ 4” and weighs between 250 and 300 pounds. He was wearing a black ball cap, sweat pants and a black shirt with light writing on the front.

Witness statements indicate the man was working alone.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Clanton Police Department at 755-1194.