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Officers searched for most of the day, Friday, looking for the suspect of a bank robbery in Rifle.
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Pictured is an image of the armed man who robbed the American National Bank in Rifle.
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Last Friday started out like any other day in Rifle — the morning was quiet and peaceful as most residents prepared for the Memorial Day weekend.
But around 10:30 a.m., it was apparent that something was not normal as Rifle Police officers armed with assault rifles were seen searching Rifle's downtown and nearby neighborhoods for a suspected bank robber.
Just prior that morning, an armed gunman walked into the American National Bank, located at 429 Railroad Avenue, flashed a handgun and requested money. The suspect walked out of the bank and was still at large as of Wednesday evening.
Rifle Police Chief Daryl Meisner was one of the residents preparing to leave for the holiday weekend. His plans changed when he got the call.
According to Meisner, it was the first “completed” bank robbery in Rifle since the police department started keeping criminal records in 1905.
“That is what we believe,” Meisner said at a press conference held Friday afternoon at the Rifle Police Department.
While the call for police to respond to a bank robbery may not be a common occurrence, Meisner said that he was not surprised when the call came in.
“As long as I've been in law enforcement, I'm not surprised when things like this happen,” he said. “There have been a lot of bank robberies happening all around us.
“At times, it becomes a numbers game,” he said. “Sooner or later, it's going to happen to you.”
Across Railroad Avenue from American National Bank, Alpine Bank president Jay Rickstrew said his bank was on heightened alert with the news of the bank robbery.
“It hit a little close to home,” Rickstrew said.
Tuesday, Rickstrew said that the bank remained on heightened alert as police continued to search for the suspect.
Coincidentally, Rickstrew said that Alpine Bank had just gone through some training the Thursday prior regarding a robbery situation.
“In banking you prepare for it,” he said. “It's just something that you do.”
Authorities focused their search to the west Rifle neighborhoods, including the Centennial Park area and the neighborhoods to the west of the park.
According to Vance Wagner, Regional Manager for American National Bank, the Rifle branch re-opened for business Tuesday morning after the long, holiday weekend.
“It is open today for regular business hours, and it's business as usual,” Wagner said, Tuesday.
The bank was closed for part of the day Friday to allow authorities to conduct their investigation. However, the bank opened the drive up later in the day and resumed banking.
Wagner said that as of Tuesday, all employees had returned to work and that the incident shouldn't have any impact on the normal banking operations.
“I don't think it will effect the way we do business,” he said.
While banking employees were not available for comment regarding the incident, Wagner said that all employees have returned to work and that the bank is sympathetic to those involved in Friday's robbery.
“The bank is compassionate toward these employees,” he said. “We will give them the time they need, provide counseling if needed, and we support them in any way that is needed.”
Police are still searching for the suspect. He is described as a white male in his mid-20s, approximately 5-feet 9-inches to 5-feet 11 inches tall, with a thin build. The suspect was last seen wearing blue jeans, dark gray or black “hoodie” sweatshirt, a black baseball cap with white lettering or a design on the front, and a black backpack.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is assisting Rifle Police with the investigation, according to Meisner. Other local agencies including the Garfield County Sheriff's Office, Silt Police Department and the Colorado State Patrol assisted with the investigation, Friday.
Anyone with information is asked to call Rifle Police Department at (970) 665-6500 or (970) 625-8095.
But around 10:30 a.m., it was apparent that something was not normal as Rifle Police officers armed with assault rifles were seen searching Rifle's downtown and nearby neighborhoods for a suspected bank robber.
Just prior that morning, an armed gunman walked into the American National Bank, located at 429 Railroad Avenue, flashed a handgun and requested money. The suspect walked out of the bank and was still at large as of Wednesday evening.
Rifle Police Chief Daryl Meisner was one of the residents preparing to leave for the holiday weekend. His plans changed when he got the call.
According to Meisner, it was the first “completed” bank robbery in Rifle since the police department started keeping criminal records in 1905.
“That is what we believe,” Meisner said at a press conference held Friday afternoon at the Rifle Police Department.
While the call for police to respond to a bank robbery may not be a common occurrence, Meisner said that he was not surprised when the call came in.
“As long as I've been in law enforcement, I'm not surprised when things like this happen,” he said. “There have been a lot of bank robberies happening all around us.
“At times, it becomes a numbers game,” he said. “Sooner or later, it's going to happen to you.”
Across Railroad Avenue from American National Bank, Alpine Bank president Jay Rickstrew said his bank was on heightened alert with the news of the bank robbery.
“It hit a little close to home,” Rickstrew said.
Tuesday, Rickstrew said that the bank remained on heightened alert as police continued to search for the suspect.
Coincidentally, Rickstrew said that Alpine Bank had just gone through some training the Thursday prior regarding a robbery situation.
“In banking you prepare for it,” he said. “It's just something that you do.”
Authorities focused their search to the west Rifle neighborhoods, including the Centennial Park area and the neighborhoods to the west of the park.
According to Vance Wagner, Regional Manager for American National Bank, the Rifle branch re-opened for business Tuesday morning after the long, holiday weekend.
“It is open today for regular business hours, and it's business as usual,” Wagner said, Tuesday.
The bank was closed for part of the day Friday to allow authorities to conduct their investigation. However, the bank opened the drive up later in the day and resumed banking.
Wagner said that as of Tuesday, all employees had returned to work and that the incident shouldn't have any impact on the normal banking operations.
“I don't think it will effect the way we do business,” he said.
While banking employees were not available for comment regarding the incident, Wagner said that all employees have returned to work and that the bank is sympathetic to those involved in Friday's robbery.
“The bank is compassionate toward these employees,” he said. “We will give them the time they need, provide counseling if needed, and we support them in any way that is needed.”
Police are still searching for the suspect. He is described as a white male in his mid-20s, approximately 5-feet 9-inches to 5-feet 11 inches tall, with a thin build. The suspect was last seen wearing blue jeans, dark gray or black “hoodie” sweatshirt, a black baseball cap with white lettering or a design on the front, and a black backpack.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is assisting Rifle Police with the investigation, according to Meisner. Other local agencies including the Garfield County Sheriff's Office, Silt Police Department and the Colorado State Patrol assisted with the investigation, Friday.
Anyone with information is asked to call Rifle Police Department at (970) 665-6500 or (970) 625-8095.
