Police Search For Man In Armed Robbery

TONTITOWN, Ark. -- Washington County police are searching for a man who robbed a local bank at gunpoint Tuesday morning.

The robbery occurred at 7:15 a.m. the First Federal Bank on Henri de Tonti Blvd.

Police are looking for any clues that could help them find the armed suspect.

"Our ladies that opened the bank this morning about 7:15 were met at the door with an armed robber who took them in the bank, took money and put them in the vault," said Ross Mallioux, president of the First Federal Bank.

About a half hour later, a third employee had found the two clerks locked in a bank vault and called police.

"They were not hurt, which is the most important thing," said Mallioux.

According to police, the suspect had brandished a black handgun at the two employees, told them not to set the alarm, and ran off with an unknown amount of money.

The suspect is described as wearing blue jeans, a long black jacket and a scarf covering his face.

The two employees told police they could not make out his race or age, but he's described as being around 5 feet 9 inches tall and speaking in a raspy voice.

And according to witnesses, a car had been in the parking lot before the robbery occurred and when police arrived to the scene, it was already gone.

"We do believe he was in a silver four door car," said Mallioux.

Police said the car may have been a Dodge Stratus, but are not certain if this was the suspect's vehicle.

The Washington County sheriff's deputy said they are looking at the security video.

He also told us they are seeing some similarities with other bank robberies in Fayetteville and Springdale.

They will be meeting with the other police departments Wednesday as they try to determine if the robberies are connected.

If you have any information, please call the Washington County Sheriff's office at (479) 444-5700.