MONTICELLO — Local and state law enforcement officials arestill seeking a man who stole an undisclosed amount of money fromthe Monticello branch of First Bank Thursday around 1:30 p.m.

Investigators with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and stateCriminal Investigation Bureau are spearheading the case withassistance from the Monticello Police Department, Lawrence CountySheriff’s Office and Mississippi Highway Patrol.

FBI and CIB investigators arrived at the scene around 3 p.m.Thursday.

Police Chief Willard Griffin said that according to informationfrom the three customers and approximately five bank employees, ablack male entered the bank and approached a teller. He handed theteller a note and displayed a pistol. The teller complied with thesubject’s request and handed over an undisclosed amount of money.The subject then fled to a pickup truck outside and drove away.

No one was injured.

A search of the county by local law enforcement agencies lastedthrough the afternoon but failed to locate the robber.

A county official who was present at the time of robbery said hewas unaware that anything was happening in the bank until after itwas over.

“I was there,” said Beat 5 Supervisor Calvin Fortenberry. “I wasin the parking lot and didn’t know anything was happening until(Police Officer) David (Stanley) drove up, blocked all the cars inwith his car and went into the bank like something was wrong.”

Griffin and Sheriff Joel Thames urged anyone with informationregarding this crime to call Crime Stoppers at 792-7867. Callerscan remain anonymous. There is a $1,000 reward if the providedinformation leads to an arrest.