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Press Release:  Fort Edward, NY - June 8, 2010.  Article by LYDIA WHEELER - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it | Wednesday, June 9, 2010 5:15 pm.  Posted by Dan Mayfield.

Police Search for Fort Edward Robbery Suspect

FORT EDWARD, NY - Police are scouring the village and surrounding areas in search of a man who robbed the Glens Falls National Bank branch, located at 159 Broadway, on Wednesday afternoon.

Fort Edward Police Sgt. Justin Derway said a white male between 5 and 6 feet tall, of medium build, 130 to 150 pounds, went into Glens Falls National Bank a little after 1 p.m. on Wednesday and handed the teller a note requesting money. Police would not say what exactly the note demanded.

But the teller complied, handing money to the suspect, who fled from the back entrance of the bank on foot, Derway said.

The suspect is described as being in his mid twenties, having shaved or short brown hair with a hairline believed to come to a ‘V' in the back.

He was wearing dark clothes and a dark baseball cap with a white emblem on the front, police said.

The suspect did not display a weapon, only handed the teller a note, and Derway said he did not know the exact wording of the note.

Derway would not comment on how much cash the suspect got away with.

The bank is located at the intersection of Broadway and East Street in the village.

Tim Badger, a spokesman for Glens Falls National Bank, said four employees were working at the time of the robbery.

Although Badger would not disclose how many customers were in the bank at the time of the robbery, he did say that no one was injured.

"Our staff performed admirably and contacted local law enforcement right away. I want to assure folks that their money is insured and they have nothing to worry about," he said.

The bank will reopen Thursday for normal business hours, Badger said.

The bank could produce only a small, grainy photo of the suspect from its surveillance footage.

In the photo, the suspect appears to have a mustache.

Video surveillance was not available for distribution, Badger said, because it was recorded on a VHS tape.

Officials blocked off a portion of the village around the bank, including Terminal Lane and Water's Edge, for about two hours on Wednesday after the robbery.

A police helicopter was searching the surrounding area from the sky throughout the afternoon.

New York State Police, Washington County Sheriff's Office, Hudson Falls Police and Glens Falls Police are assisting Fort Edward Police in searching for the suspect.

Anyone with information on this crime is asked to contact the WeTip Anonymous Hotline at (800) 78-CRIME or 1-800-782-7463.  It is also possible to submit an anonymous  tip online at www.wetip.com.  Informants may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.00 for information leading to an arrest and conviction in this matter.

When anyone knows of a crime past, present or future, they may call the toll free anonymous WeTip Hotlines (800) 78-CRIME, (800) 47-ARSON, (800) 47-DRUGS and (800) USFRAUD. These lines are staffed by trained, bi-lingual operators and are available to anyone in the United States.

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