PICKENS – Two men were quickly arrested following an armed robbery at the Bank of America in Pickens on Monday.
According to the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office, on Monday afternoon just after 4:30 pm, they received a 9-1-1 call from the Bank of America in Pickens about an armed robbery.
Officers from the Pickens Police Department and the Sheriff’s Office responded immediately.
In an official statement by Pickens Police Chief Rodney Gregory, a black male is said to have entered the Pickens Branch of Bank of America located at 334 East Main Street and presented a note demanding money from the teller. The suspect left the bank on foot, with an undisclosed amount of money.
The Pickens County Sheriff’s office said that a witness in a parking lot stated that a black male was observed carrying a bag while running behind the First Baptist Church. The witness told PCSO that he saw the man getting into the driver’s side of a red pick-up truck. This information was relayed to all police agencies.
Approximately 20 minutes later a truck with occupants matching the description were spotted on S.C. Hwy 93 in Easley. Tag information was called into the Sheriff’s communications center where they reported back to Sheriff’s Deputies and Easley Police that the truck was stolen out of Greenville County.
A traffic stop was initiated by Sheriff’s Deputies and Easley Police officers at which time they say the driver attempted to elude officers. A short pursuit ensued for approximately a mile and ended on Grace Avenue in Easley where the occupants attempted to flee on foot.
Two men in the truck were apprehended within thirty yards of the vehicle. Bank photos were emailed to officers on the scene for identification purposes. Cash and clothing items were recovered.
Sheriff Stone said, “The cooperation and communication among agencies couldn’t have been better. All officers involved from Pickens and Easley Police Departments and the sheriff’s deputies did a text book job. It could not have worked any better with no one hurt and the bad guys in jail. I am very proud of all of the officers.”
Pickens Police Chief Rodney Gregory added, “The joint effort of the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office, Easley Police Department, and Pickens Police Department helped solve this case within minutes with no injuries or property damage.”
Arrested at the scene was Vincent Missouri, 47, of 155 Valley Brook Rd in Piedmont. Missouri was charged by PSCO deputies with failure to stop and possession of stolen vehicle. Pickens Police also charge Missouri with armed robbery. Bobby Joe Wright, 44, of 28 Parade Drive of Greenville was also charged by Pickens police to charge with armed robbery an arrested at the scene.