CHATHAM, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Two armed bank robbers are on the loose after holding up a bank in the small town of Chatham in Jackson Parish late this morning, but not before firing off a gun shot inside the bank.
Jackosn Parish Sheriff Andy Brown tells us what happened: "One of them may have been struck in the head by one of the suspects. Another lady was pulled by her hair from where she was sitting at."
Bank workers told the Sheriff that the robbery happened so quickly.
The two masked men walked into People's Bank of Chatham before noon. One of them pulled out a gun and fired a shot to get everyone's attention.
Fortunately, no one was hurt - but workers were badly shaken up.
"We had contact with one of the ladies over her cell phone into our office and she was trying to let us know what's going on.", says Sheriff Brown.
The half-dozen workers were ordered into a bathroom, and told to count to 100.
Within moments, the robbers were gone, but they left a trail of money in the parking lot.
Investigators have not told us how much money the men got away with.
Sheriff Brown, describing the robbers, says, "One was about 6 feet tall. The 6 foot individual who entered the bank entered with a 40 caliber automatic pistol . ..the other individual who is probably 5'8 to 5'9 came in behind him dressed in all black, from head to toe."
Sheriff Brown says when the bank opens monday, there will be a police presence.
"we had a helicopter in the air trying to get a head of this car we had no luck yet.", adds Sheriff Brown.
KNOE 8's Renee Allen reports, "... other law enforcement agencies are involved in the investigation: State police, chatham police and federal agencies."
Witnesses initially told the sheriff that the robbers drove off in a sedan, but later said their getaway car was an SUV.
Police say they will use the surveillance video to get a better description of who they're looking for.
