July 8th, 2009

Man Robs Kevil Bank

Police say they believe robber, wearing camouflage and ski mask, was armed

KEVIL, Ky. — Investigators scoured the streets around Kevil Bank after a man robbed the bank Wednesday morning and ran down a nearby street.

The robbery took place about 10:20 a.m. at the bank, which is located on U.S. 60.

“It was a white male wearing camouflage and a ski mask,” said Trooper Thomas Clifton of the Kentucky State Police. “We have reason to believe he was armed. He got away with an undisclosed amount of money and no one was hurt. If anyone has any contact with him, he should be considered armed and dangerous.”

Melody White, an insurance agent at Maverick Insurance across the street, saw the man enter the bank as she looked out her office window.

“I saw a truck coming through the parking lot and he never stopped,” White said. “A guy got out on the passenger side and he had on all camouflage and a ski mask, combat boots and he was carrying a green backpack. It looked like he had a gun in his right hand. He got out of the vehicle running.”

White yelled for a co-worker to call 911, while she tried to call the bank.

“It was very scary,” she said. “I looked up and he was on his way out. He was in there 15 seconds tops. He got to the door and took off running to the first road to the right.”

Clifton said the man was last seen running down nearby Wyatt Avenue, west of the bank. White said the truck was a red Dodge Ram pickup, but Clifton would not release any information about the vehicle or about the weapon.

Police dogs from the state police and the McCracken County Sheriff’s Department searched the area soon after the robbery. The Ballard County Sheriff’s Department was also involved.

Clifton said he didn’t believe any customers were in the bank at the time of the robbery, and he wasn’t certain how many employees were involved.

Louise Steinbeck, who lives in an apartment across the street, wasn’t home at the time of the robbery, but heard about it soon after.

“I saw the dogs arrive and they let them out of the car,” she said. “That’s the third time that bank has been robbed, but it’s been years. I think the first time was in 1962. I hope they catch him.”