Staff report
Investigations continue into the armed robberies that occurred at the Northfield Savings Bank in Waitsfield on two successive Tuesdays, April 28 and May 5. It is unknown if the two armed robbery incidents are connected.
On Tuesday, April 28, at about 11:50 a.m., a lone individual entered the Northfield Savings Bank located on Route 100 in Waitsfield, brandished a gun, and demanded money from a teller. The individual was described as white, approximately 5’4″ – 5’6″ inches tall, approximately 130 pounds, and dressed in a black hoodie, black overcoat, similar to a windbreaker, a dark and white striped shirt underneath, gray pants, appear to be wind pants with a darker gray strip down the side, brown loosely tied hiking boots and Ray-Ban style sunglasses. The suspect appeared to have brown hair. At this time of the report it was unknown if this individual is male or female. The individual was given an undisclosed amount of cash and fled the scene on foot and headed in the direction of Route 100 South.
There was a customer in the bank at the time of the robbery. There were no reported injuries.
Several troopers and detectives with the Vermont State Police responded to the scene and searched the area, including a K-9 search team.
Police learned that prior to the robbery, the suspect was seen acting suspiciously outside the bank near the Evergreen Senior Center, which is located next door.
A week later, at about 4:20 p.m., May 5, an armed individual displayed a gun and demanded money again from Northfield Savings Bank. Witnesses describe the suspect as a white male, scruffy beard, medium build, dark clothes, a winter hat, and tan jacket. The suspect left the bank on foot and is suspected to have left the area in a tan Toyota Corolla, possibly with another individual. The car went west on Bragg Hill Road.
Upon close examination of the surveillance video supplied by the bank, it was discovered that the suspect’s face was uncovered as the male went through the outer door. After opening the outer door, a mask was raised, obscuring the suspect’s face. Stills were created from this portion of the surveillance video in hopes of identifying the suspect. Detectives are asking for the help of anyone who might recognize the suspect based on these enhanced pictures.
Anyone with any information about this incident or having seen the suspect in the area please contact VSP detectives at the Middlesex barracks at 802-229-9191.
