Published: November 03, 2009 08:03 am      

Robber strikes downtown Madison Bank branch

A Monday morning robbery at the court square branch of Madison Bank netted an undisclosed amount of cash, Richmond police said, and a search for the suspect is under way.

An attempt to locate for the suspect was issued around 8:50 a.m. immediately following the robbery at the bank, on the corner of Main and North Second streets.

The suspect is described as a tall, heavyset black male and was wearing a navy blue jacket or hooded sweatshirt and may have had a fake beard. He was armed with a black pistol and was carrying a duffel bag.

According to police radio reports, two employees were inside the bank at the time of the robbery, and police have surveillance video showing the suspect.

The suspect fled on foot, and police radio reports indicated the suspect may be driving a Dodge Intrepid.

Police cordoned off the area in front of the bank following the robbery while they investigated the scene.

Reardon said police are investigating a possible link between Monday’s robbery and a robbery last week at A+ Check Exchange, on Commercial Drive.

The suspect in that robbery was described by employees as a black male wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and a fake beard, and he fled on foot following the robbery.

“There are a lot of similarities, and we are looking into that,” Reardon said.

The bank remained closed Monday while officers processed the crime scene for additional evidence, Reardon said.

Brian Smith may be reached at bsmith@richmondregister.com or at 624-6694.