Oakwood police are searching for a suspect in an armed robbery at the SunTrust bank at 3725 Mundy Mill Road.
The call came in about 9:15 a.m., according to Police Chief Randall Moon, who was one of the first officers on the scene.
“A black male had walked into the SunTrust on Mundy Mill Road, brandished a firearm and requested money,” Moon said. “The bank teller complied. He got his money and left.”
No one was injured, and no shots were fired, Moon said.
“Several witnesses in the area pointed in the direction he left on foot. K-9 (units) were called on scene and made some attempt to track the individual,” Moon said.
Investigator Danny Sridej said the suspect ran past the Steak ’n Shake and behind a shopping center with cash from the bank.
Moon accompanied officers and police dogs who tracked the suspect through the woods to an apartment complex. Police said they think he then fled by car.
“We don’t think he was in the complex. We think he had a ride,” Moon said.
Two Georgia State Patrol helicopters searched the area. The FBI is also assisting in the investigation, he said.
“The suspect is still at large, and we don’t think he is in the area. We’ll just continue working with the FBI,” Moon said.
The suspect was wearing a hooded black jacket, white T-shirt and blue jeans, Sridej said. A black mask covered the bottom of his face, and he was carrying a black handgun.
Police estimate the man is in his late 30s or early 40s. He has black hair, a mustache and a medium build, at 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet tall and 170 to 185 pounds, Sridej said.
The incident prompted lockdowns at nearby schools.
Oakwood Elementary was locked down first at 9:40 a.m., and Johnson High School and the Academies of Discovery, including Da Vinci Academy and the upper grades at World Language Academy, were locked down about 10 minutes later. The lockdown required students to remain in classrooms with doors secured.
The University of North Georgia’s Gainesville campus was asked to “shelter in place,” and 11 a.m. classes were canceled.
Lanier Technical College proceeded with classes as normal, but advised students and faculty to exercise “extreme caution,” according to college spokesman Dave Parrish.
Sridej is asking anyone who recognizes the suspect to call his office at 770-534-3264.
He also warned residents not to make contact with the suspect but to call 911 or their local police department.