Update: Tipsters ID bank robbery witnesses
BILOXI -- Tipsters helped police identify witnesses in a bank robbery Tuesday shortly after the media published surveillance pictures of a man and woman sought for questioning, Detective Grandver Everett said.
The couple, whose names were not released, are believed to have information that will help police identify the person who robbed The First bank at Pass and Big Lake roads Dec. 18.
"We haven't located them yet," Everett said, "but we look forward to sitting down with them one on one and interviewing them," he said.
"As soon as their pictures went up (online), calls started coming in."
Police had released a description and surveillance picture of the robber the day of the holdup but have been unable to identify him.
"We have watched video surveillance of people who had been in the bank in days prior and believe these two people may be sources of information," Everett said earlier Tuesday, adding the man and woman are "the only lead we've got."
Detective Lt. Christopher De Back has said the robber walked into the bank and demanded money but he made no threats and didn't appear to have a weapon.
He was described as a thin black man dressed in black, standing 5-foot-8 and weighing 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.
Police began to question people in the area and K-9 teams fanned out to neighboring areas, searching for the robber.
To give a tip, call Biloxi police dispatchers at 392-0641, the criminal investigations division at 435-6112, or Everett at 702-3121.
Tipsters can qualify for a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest by calling Mississippi Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-877-787-5898. Or tipsters can text CSTIP plus a message to 274637 (CRIMES) or give a tip online at mscoastcrimestoppers.com.
The holdup is the only bank robbery in Biloxi this year and is the fifth reported in Harrison, Hancock and Jackson counties.
This story was originally published December 29, 2015 at 6:19 PM with the headline "Update: Tipsters ID bank robbery witnesses ."