Man in disguise robs local bank

View larger image This surveillance camera image shows the bank robbery suspect. He had an electronic device in his ear which could have been a Bluetooth, cell phone or ear bud, police said. View larger image Local law enforcement stand in front of the BB&T bank at Berryville Avenue and Fort Collier Road in Winchester after the bank was robbed Friday early afternoon. Dennis Grundman/Daily Related Information Press release from Winchester police Audio: Listen to Winchester police dispatcher broadcast suspect's description:

By Alex Bridges - abridges@nvdaily.com

WINCHESTER -- A man wearing a costume robbed a bank in the city shortly before noon Friday, according to police.

Witnesses said the suspect had on a long, black coat, a white shirt with a blue tie, a black fedora or similar hat, when he entered the BB&T bank, 1000 Berryville Ave., said Winchester police Sgt. Mark Lahman. Witnesses described the suspect as a white male in his 30s, of average build, and 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall, according to Lahman.

The suspect also wore a mustache that appeared fake and had an electronic device in his ear, possibly a bluetooth, cell phone or ear bud, Lahman said.

The suspect approached a teller, said he had a gun and "specifically asked for $7,000," Lahman said at the bank as police investigated the scene. The teller gave the suspect an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspect left the bank on foot and was last seen walking east across Fort Collier Road into the parking lot of the Arby's restaurant next door, according to police.

"She said he appeared nervous ... and jittery," Lahman said. "She said he did appear to be wearing Halloween costume."

The teller called police at approximately 11:45 a.m., Lahman said. The bank branch remained closed for several hours Friday afternoon.

Police released photographs of the suspect from video surveillance footage taken inside the bank.

Investigators planned to use K-9 officers to track the suspect's trail from the bank, according to Lahman.

"We're going to do a neighborhood canvas ... we want to talk to business owners," Lahman said, pointing to nearby apartments and stores. "We're hoping that one bit of information will help."

Given that the suspect wore what appeared to be a costume, police also were planning to check trash cans and other places in case the person ditched his attire, according to Lahman.

The agency spokesman said it was a good possibility the suspect may have fled to a vehicle. But it appeared he conducted the robbery alone, Lahman said.

While the suspect indicated he had a gun, witnesses said no weapon was displayed, according to Lahman. No one reported injuries in the incident, he said. Bank employees and investigators had not determined early Friday afternoon the exact amount of money given to the suspect, but at the time Lahman said he likely left with no more than $2,000 or so.

Benjamin Ramos, owner of Camino Real, a restaurant next to the bank, said he was helping someone in the parking lot when the incident happened. When he went back inside the restaurant, Ramos said a customer told him she had seen someone run from the bank.

"The customer said he was a weird guy," Ramos said.

The same branch office was robbed on Jan. 31, 2006. Michael Brian Matheney is serving a six-year prison sentence and was ordered to pay more than $2,800 in restitution to the bank.

Anyone with further information on Friday's robbery is asked to contact the Police Department's Criminal Investigations Division at 545-4704 or Crime Solvers at 665-TIPS (8477).