A man is currently on the run after a heist at the Newport Federal Bank, according to the FBI. On Friday afternoon, the suspect, whose identity remains unknown, entered the bank around 3:30 p.m. and targeted an employee with a note demanding cash, as reported by the WBIR. Eluding capture, he made away with the money after intimating that he was armed.
While the exact sum of money taken has not been disclosed, the investigation conducted by the Newport Police Department alongside the FBI is in full swing. A spokesperson for the FBI announced the robbery at a press briefing, an announcement that has since put the city on high alert. "The suspect left the bank on foot," according to a statement obtained by WATE, thereby complicating immediate attempts by authorities to track his location post-incident.
The Mayor of Newport has weighed in, taking to Twitter to urge the public to assist the police in their search for the armed robbery suspect. Adding to the urgency, the tweet from WVLT expresses the city's heightened concern for the community's safety and the pursual of justice.
Details regarding the suspect's appearance or possible whereabouts have yet to be released to the public. However, Newport residents are advised to remain vigilant, report any suspicious activity they witness, and maintain a safe distance from the suspect, who is considered dangerous. The FBI in their efforts to apprehend the suspect involved the community, recognizing that the public's assistance could prove pivotal in the ongoing investigation.
