Shelbyville bank robbed; suspect escapes

A trail of money and a mostly-filled, red dye-stained money bag left behind by a robber fleeing from First Community Bank's Madison Street branch is inspected by (from left) Shelbyville detectives Brian Crews and Jason Williams, Bedford County deputy Lindsey Puckett and Shelbyville detective Pat Mathis.
(T-G Photo by David Melson)

But he left behind most of the money.

A red dye pack placed within the bag used to carry away the money exploded within 50 yards from the bank, police said.

The robber, apparently panicked by the dye explosion, left behind the bag and a trail of bills, mostly $20s and $100s.

"One black male entered with a black and blue bandanna covering most of his face except his eyes," Detective Brian Crews of the Shelbyville Police Department said.

The two employees and customer described the robber to police as standing about 6-foot-1 to 6-foot-2.

"He was wearing gloves, a long sleeve shirt and blue jeans," Crews said. "He demanded money from the clerks and told the customer not to look at him."

No weapon was seen or physical threats made, police said.

"They did comply and were able to put in a bundle containing dye packs," Crews said.

The man darted outside into a wooded area behind the bank building and was seen running toward a nearby car wash and the bowling alley on Davis Lane.

"The dye pack went off about 50 yards from the bank," Crews said. "Most of the money was recovered."

A trail of bills led to the money bag. Most of its contents, partially stained with red dye as was the bag itself, appeared intact.

Two witnesses said he ran north behind Bedford Lanes.

"One witness saw him put on his gloves and bandanna on approaching the bank and leave the same way, stuffing money into his pants," Crews said.

Law enforcement agencies including the Shelbyville Police Department, Bedford County Sheriff's Department, 17th Judicial District Drug Task Force and Tennessee Highway Patrol quickly converged on the scene and set up a perimeter around the area.

"We received the call at 3:26 p.m. and the first unit was on scene within one minute," SPD Maj. Jan Phillips said.

The bank employees were shaken but unhurt, bank president Donna Stone said.

"We can replace money but we can't replace people," bank official Billy Hicks said.