Biloxi police investigating bank robbery

BILOXI -- Police were looking for a bank robber Friday after a thin man dressed in black held up a bank at Pass and Big Lake roads, investigators said.

The robbery at The First was reported about 1:10 p.m.

No injuries were reported, said Detective George Chaix, who helped guard the bank's front door while an investigator reviewed videotapes inside.

An unknown man walked into the bank and demanded money but he made no threats and didn't appear to have a weapon, Detective Lt. Christopher De Back said.

Police released a description after reviewing surveillance pictures.

They said the man is black, 5-foot-8 and 160 to 180 pounds.

He was wearing a black scarf, black hoodie, dark pants and black-and-white Nike running shoes.

He was last seen running east into Pass Point Apartments on Big Lake Road.

De Back said police were canvassing the area, but urged anyone who saw anything suspicious to call dispatchers at 392-0641 or Detective Grandver Everett at 702-3121.

K-9 teams fanned out in neighboring areas, including The Enclave subdivision, as the tracking dogs tried to pick up the robber's scent.

A few customers drove up to the bank even though police vehicles with flashing lights were in the parking lot. An employee came out and told one customer the bank's branch on Courthouse Road was open.

Tipsters can qualify for a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest. Call Crime Stoppers at 1-877-787-5898, text CSTIP plus a message to 274637 (CRIMES) or give a tip online at www.mscoastcrimestoppers.com.

The bank robbery is believed to be the first reported in Biloxi this year and the fifth across Harrison, Hancock and Jackson counties.

Two of this year's bank robberies were in Pascagoula. Police have said a 14-year-old held up Woodforest Bank in Wal-Mart on Dec. 5 while his 16-year-old friend waited in the getaway car. A suspect is in custody in the July 25 robbery of a Hancock Bank on U.S. 90.

A Hancock Bank on Mississippi 613 was robbed July 10. An arrest has been made in that holdup.

The robber is still sought in the Aug. 21 heist at Wells Fargo Bank on U.S. 90 in Ocean Springs. Police have said that robber wore a black hoodie and bandana.

This story was originally published December 18, 2015 at 5:42 PM with the headline "Biloxi police investigating bank robbery ."