Officers in front of the Effie branch of the Cottonport Bank shortly after it was robbed by a sole gunman Photo by Journal Reporter Tiffany Dauzat
The robber entered the bank with revolver. He pointed the gun at the tellers and demanded money. After getting money, he takes tellers and tied them up and put them in the back of the bank. There were no customers in the bank.
It is unknown how the tellers freed themselves or if the alarm went off.
Just minutes ago, two employees in the bank came out, and they met a family members and other employees in the parking lot. They were seen crying and hugging in their safe reunion.
The robbery suspect had long white hair, was wearing dark sunglasses, blue jeans, a button down yellow shirt and a dark baseball hat. He is 5'9 to 5" 11, and was wearing brown boots.
He left the bank in a white Chevrolet extended cab pickup, with black trim on the fenders, and the license plate in the front of the vehicle was a Southern Chevrolet dealer advertising plate.
School buses are currently loading students from The Lafargue school as the search is on. The school is located less than one half a mile from the bank. The doors were locked down at about 2:15pm for the safety of the 684 students, according to School Supt. Dwayne Lemoine. Law enforcement officials were on campus for the safety of the children, and searched the grounds. After 45 minutes, officers allowed students to get on busses and parents cars while police watched.
This is according to an official police source.
FBI, State Police, U. S. Marshalls, and Avoyelles Parish Sheriff are all investigating.
Earlier stories:
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VIDEO TAPE MAY SHOW BANK ROBBER
At least 15 to 20 law enforcement officials and vehicles are now seen coming in out of the Effie branch of the Cottonport bank and its parking area.
The bank was robbed between 1:30 and 2pm today.
Numerous police cars are also patrolling the area.
Brent McNeal, who owns businesses in the area across the street just brought a video tape to officers. The tape was taken from the store's survelience camera and shows the bank in the back ground.
Bank president A. J. Roy, III is on the scene, as are other bank offiicals.
According to Roy, all other branches are open. However, some may limit inside traffic for a short time.
The bank is on the corner of Highway 107 and Hayes Cemetery Road.
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Original Story:
BANK ROBBERY IN WARD ONE
There are confirmed reports that there has just been a bank robbery in Ward One, within the last 30 minutes.
Police cars are now at the scene of the Effie branch of the Cottonport Bank.
Deputies and State Police are looking for a suspect who is described as a white male, long white hair, wearing blue jeans and a baseball cap.
It is unknown how and which direction he went when he left the bank.
Police are searching the area. It is not known at this time how the robbery took place, but officials do say no one was hurt.
It is not known if and how much money was taken.
Watch this site for more details as they are available. Reporters from the Marksville Weekly News and Avoyelles Journal are at the scene. Also, watch for photos in the Sunday Journal.
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Original news breaking headline:
BANK ROBBERY IN WARD ONE
There are unconfirmed reports that there has just been a bank robbery in Ward One. We have reporters enroute and will give details as they are available.
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