Police seek suspect in connection with robbery

The Hendersonville Police Department is searching for a suspect in a strong-armed robbery that happened at a bank along U.S. 25 north Thursday morning.

Lt. David Adams said officers responded to First Citizens Bank at 1700 Asheville Highway shortly after 9 a.m. after a report of a robbery.

Employees of the bank said they could not comment about the robbery. Barbara Thompson, manager of public relations for First Citizens Bank, said the bank reopened Thursday after the robbery and will be open for business Friday.

"The bank closed shortly after the robbery at about 9:30 a.m. and reopened Thursday at 1 p.m.," Thompson said. "I cannot comment about the situation only to refer you to local authorities. I am pleased to say no one was injured during the incident."

Around 11 a.m., the parking lot of the bank was virtually empty with a few cars pulling in and customers scratching their heads as they saw a closed sign on the doors of the bank.

The suspect was described as a light skinned black male, 20 to 30 years old, between 5 feet 10 inches tall and 6 feet tall, medium build, wearing a dark T-shirt, ball cap with the letters "CU," light-colored shorts and black athletic shoes and was carrying a small multi-colored backpack.

Police said the suspect demanded money and left with an undisclosed amount of cash.

Witnesses told police the robber, who did not show a weapon, was last seen running south along Asheville Highway, Adams said. No one was injured during the robbery.

Anyone with information can contact the Hendersonville Police Department at 697-3025 or Crimestoppers at 697-7867.