Well-dressed thief swipes thousands from bank

SMYRNA — Sporting sunglasses and dressed in a fedora, slacks and a tie, Smyrna police say a man managed to swipe six figures from a Cobb County bank.

“He’s a thug, he has a blatant disregard for other people and property and he’s someone we need off the streets,” said Louis Defense, spokesperson for the Smyrna Police Department.

Detectives gave Channel 2 surveillance photos taken from inside the Chase Bank, along South Cobb Drive.

They tell us, last month his man casually walked in with a duffel bag in tow after he waited for all of the customers who were inside to leave bank. Seconds later, he announced he was robbing the place before having an employee stuff his bag with thousands of dollars.

“He implies that he has a weapon in his pocket and directs everyone to go inside of the safe,” Defense said.

It’s news that has people like, Danie Brown, feeling a bit anxious.

"It's a cause of concern that the cameras weren't a deterrent," Brown said.

We caught up with her as she was leaving the bank Tuesday evening after opening a brand new account.

RELATED STORIES:

• Man accused of killing 2 people, including mother
• Community remembers beloved music teacher killed in carjacking
• Slain music teacher's 'shoes will never be filled,' principal says

"The duffel bag is a cause of concern but I understand them wanting to give him the benefit of the doubt, because he looks like he's dressed professionally," added Brown.

He was dressed so professionally that it led investigators to believe this man may have cased the place, realizing most of the businesses around the bank didn't have cameras and used that to his advantage.

But now police are hoping that by releasing these images someone will recognize the well-dressed thief and turn him in.

“It’s a little disturbing because of the amount of money he was able to get away with. And with such ease.”

Cox Media Group