— surveillance video clips || An armed gunman walked into the Calvert City Heritage Bank location last week and left with an undisclosed amount of money.

Person of interest sought in Heritage Bank robbery

Make-shift bomb
was actually
candles, duct tape
and speaker wire

By Misti Drew
Tribune-Courier Reporter
mdrew@tribunecourier.com

CALVERT CITY – Last Tuesday afternoon, a man, cloaked in black “fatigue” clothing and sporting a black hat donning the insignia, “Security,” calmly walked into the Calvert City branch of Heritage Bank.

With a nylon duffle bag in hand, the man walked up to the teller, told her to put her hands up and proceeded to pull out a “bomb-like” device and place it on the counter.

Upon another teller’s arrival up front, the robber produced a semi-automatic handgun and brandished the weapon demanding, “I want all your large bills.”

According to Marshall County Sheriff’s Department Detective Dan Melone, the man remained calm from entrance to exit, never raising his voice.

“The man appeared to be wearing body armor,” Melone added. “He was very authoritative and knowledgeable of proper weapon handling, as well. He obviously knew what he was doing.”

Melone credits the efforts of one Heritage Bank teller (who wishes to remain anonymous) with saving lives. “Her professionalism and calm demeanor is most likely what kept everyone safe,” he said.

The robber was in and out of the bank in just 48 seconds.

The Paducah Bomb Squad and members of the Kentucky State Police were called in to identify the suspicious package left behind by the suspect.

Melone said detectives determined the device to be a fake, actually being made of two candles, wrapped side by side with low-grade, 18-guage speaker wire and having the circuit board of a V450 Logitech laser cordless mouse attached at the top.

“This guy could have just as easily made a real bomb,” he said. “It was obvious that harming people wasn’t his primary intent, however, he was prepared to address any threat presented to him.”

Tellers described the man as being in his mid-40’s, having salt and pepper hair, clean shaven, but having obvious dark facial hair, standing approximately 5’10 or 5’11 and weighing approximately 195 pounds.

He was wearing dark sun glasses, possibly transitional lenses and had his pants tucked into his boots.

Police are also looking to identify a woman they are calling a “person if interest” in the case.

Approximately one hour before the robbery, a female patron approached the entryway of Heritage Bank, looking around prior to walking in the facility.

Tellers told detectives the woman walked up to the counter and inquired about opening a checking account. She was advised to have a seat in the lobby and wait for the next available representative. However, the woman chose instead to walk around the bank for several minutes, exiting the center without speaking with anyone.

Melone said at this point, the unidentified woman is not a suspect, she is simply wanted for questioning.

During the same time period, eye witnesses said they noticed two white males sitting inside a “suspicious looking vehicle” parked behind the Five Star gas station next door.

The vehicle was described as a dark sport utility vehicle. Coincidentally, a teller recalls seeing a similar vehicle with a yellow GMC logo backed into a parking space at Heritage Bank just prior to the robbery.

While detectives are not saying how much money was stolen in the robbery, Melone said, “I am amazed that someone would risk their life and the lives of others for such a small amount of money. “This man could have made just as much delivering pizzas and not risked losing his life or his freedom for it.” While other charges are going to be added, the penalty for first-degree robbery is up to 20 years in prison.

Anyone with information about this or any other crime is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers at 527-COPS.

A $1,000 reward is being offered for information resulting in the arrest of the subject or subjects responsible for the bank robbery.