SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. —Police are currently investigating a series of bank and credit union robberies that have transpired since Saturday, Oct. 26, NBC 5 reported.
The incidents began over a week ago when a man entered two different banks in Burlington, demanding money while claiming to possess a bomb. A similar robbery occurred on Tuesday at a bank in Winooski, NBC 5 said.
A Burlington man, James Plunkett, has been identified as the suspect in three of the robberies, including two in downtown Burlington and one in Winooski, according to police, NBC 5 said.
With the suspect or suspects in those robberies still on the loose, concerns have now emerged among residents and financial institution employees, the news outlet said.
In response to the robberies and other security concerns, Union Bank decided to close its lobbies to customers at several Vermont locations. The Vermont Federal Credit Union headquarters on Kennedy Drive in South Burlington moved to a drive-thru-only system on Wednesday, NBC 5 said.
Robber Threatens To Use Bomb
Just before 5 p.m. on Tuesday, a masked man, wearing a hat and sunglasses, entered the EastRise Credit Union and demanded cash, threatening to use an incendiary device, NBC 5 said.
Deputy Chief Sean Briscoe of the South Burlington Police Department confirmed the details of the Tuesday robbery, noting, “The male went into a local credit union and said that he had an incendiary device. He was provided with an amount of cash and made his escape on foot.”
Yvonne Garand, chief brand and marketing officer at EastRise Credit Union, stated that the organization is evaluating all safety precautions and will only close their lobbies if additional measures are necessary to ensure the safety of their staff, NC 5 reported.
“Any type of situation that could pose a danger to our employees and community members, we certainly would take a step back and consider that similar to Union Bank,” Garand said. “It's incumbent on all of us as community members to say something if you see something, because that keeps us all safe,” Garand said.