Probe into bank robbery continues

Written by WFTZ News, TSI Staff Reports | 20 July 2010

A recent robbery at Manchester’s First Vision Bank could be the first case in the area in which a bank was held up by cellular telephone.
The Saturday Independent last week reported An unidentified white male subject allegedly robbed the branch of First Vision Bank on Hillsboro Highway in Manchester around 2 p.m. Friday, July 9, taking an undisclosed amount of cash. Criminal Investigator Billy Butler of the Manchester Police Department said the MPD is working in conjunction with the FBI on the case. Witnesses who followed the escape vehicle, a blue Ford Explorer, reported seeing the vehicle exit onto I-24 in the direction of Chattanooga.
Manchester Police Chief Ross Simmons later told WFTZ News that a male caller called a bank employee by cell phone, and told the employee to place money in a bag outside of the facility, or he would blow up the bank’s trailer office.
Simmons said the man pulled through, grabbed the cash, and drove off. Simmons said investigators are attempting to trace the robber’s cell phone signature. Simmons said the robber never produced a weapon.
Anyone with information about the heist is asked to call Manchester Police.