FBI SEEKS PUBLIC ASSISTANCE IN SAND SPRINGS BANK ROBBERY

John E. Lewis, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Oklahoma, announced the robberies of American Heritage Bank, 301 N. Choctaw, Beggs, Oklahoma, and BancFirst, 301 E. 2nd, Sand Springs, Oklahoma.

At approximately 10:00 a.m. this morning, four black males wearing bandanas and panty hose over their faces entered the American Heritage Bank. A robber armed with a black semi-automatic pistol jumped the teller counter and demanded money at gunpoint. The other three robbers held the other employees at gun and knife point. One bank employee was slightly stabbed.

The robbers fled in a stolen white van which was recovered 1 ½ miles west of the bank. They were seen fleeing from the abandoned van in a blue Acura. The Acura, which was also stolen, was recovered four miles east of Slick, Oklahoma. Immediately prior to the robbery, a stolen vehicle was set on fire and reported to authorities, possibly in an attempt to divert attention away from the bank.

The same individuals are believed to be responsible for several recent robberies of small loan and finance businesses, smoke shops, a beauty shop, and dry cleaners in Tulsa, Henryetta and Checotah.
The Beggs robbery is being investigated by the FBI, Beggs Police Department, and Okmulgee County Sheriff's Office. Anyone with information concerning the Beggs robbery should contact the Muskogee Resident Agency of the FBI at (918) 687-7500, or the Tulsa Resident Agency of the FBI at (918) 664-3300 or the Beggs Police Department.

At approximately noon today, a lone black male entered BancFirst in Sand Springs and handed the teller a note stating, "I have a gun - give me your money." He kept a hand in his pocket to imply he had a weapon although none was seen. He gathered the money in a white plastic grocery style sack and fled in a early 1990's model white, four-door General Motors product vehicle.

He was described as a black male, early 20's, 6'2" to 6'4", slender, wearing a white tee shirt with a small Adidas logo on the front, gold rimmed glasses, black spandex hat, and dark windsuit pants.
The Sand Springs robbery is being investigated by the FBI and Sand Springs Police Department.
The two bank robberies today do not appear related.

Anyone with information regarding the Sand Springs robbery should contact the Tulsa Resident Agency of the FBI at (918) 664-3300, or the Sand Springs Police Department. You may remain anonymous.
The Oklahoma Banker's Association offers up to $2,000.00 for information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of anyone robbing a member bank.