Botetourt Sheriff’s deputies and State Police converged on Eagle Rock Monday when a man robbed the Bank of Botetourt’s Eagle Rock branch just before 1 p.m.
The man, who was dressed in black pants, a black hooded sweatshirt, gloves and a white face mask, showed a pistol during the robbery and left with an undisclosed amount of cash.
No one was injured in the robbery, and deputies and other law enforcement are still investigating what is apparently Eagle Rock’s only bank robbery.
A bank employee triggered an alarm that notified the alarm company. The alarm company called the Botetourt emergency services dispatch and said an employee had not answered questions properly when contacted. Dispatch then called for assistance at the bank that is located on the southern corner of Railroad Avenue where it turns to connect with Rt. 43. CSX railroad tracks are across the street from the bank, and the James River is beyond the tracks.
Bank employees told dispatch the robber left the bank and headed north on Railroad Avenue toward the laundromat that’s on the same side of the street. Railroad Avenue intersects with Rt. 43 on the north end of the small business district.
Deputies and State Police blocked off Railroad Avenue and began looking for a suspect, and a possible vehicle.
The robber was described as a six-foot tall, slim, probably a white male.
Bank of Botetourt President Watts Steger III praised the bank’s employees and the Sheriff’s Department. He said the employees did exactly as they were trained in what was a very dangerous situation.
As a precaution, Eagle Rock Elementary School was put on limited lockdown. It is just off US 220 north of the Eagle Rock business district.
The investigation is continuing.
