Less than two years ago, Camp Verde’s Chase Bank was targeted for robbery. On Thursday, Jan. 14, an opportunistic individual once again set his sights on the branch.
The suspect, described as a white male, early-to-mid 20s with dark hair, approximately 5 feet 10 inches and 120 pounds, entered the bank wearing a black zip-up jacket with a hood, black sunglasses, a black mask over his lower face, white gloves, light-colored pants and black tennis shoes.
Brandishing a black, semi-automatic pistol, possibly a 9mm, the man handed the clerk a camouflaged backpack and demanded an as-yet unspecified amount of money. He left the bank on foot heading north up a drainage wash, according to witnesses.
The Camp Verde Marshal’s Office quickly set up a perimeter with the assistance of the Yavapai Apache Police Department, Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office and Arizona Department of Public Safety.
A DPS Ranger helicopter with thermal-imaging equipment and the Sedona Police Department’s K-9 Unit assisted in the search. The only item of evidence announced thus far, a $2 bill found in the field behind the bank, is being processed for DNA evidence.
According to the CVMO, the bank robbery portion of the investigation is now under the jurisdiction of the FBI.
On Friday, Jan. 15, Chase Bank Camp Verde Manager Char Robinson said she could offer no comment, but directed inquiries to Maura Cordova, JP Morgan Chase media relations.
“Because it is an ongoing investigation and we wouldn’t want to jeopardize anything, it will be no comment,” Cordova said, and referred inquiries to law enforcement.
Dwight D’Evelyn, media relations coordinator with the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office, did not respond to inquiry by press time.
CVMO is asking for help from the public in identifying the suspect. A reward is available through Silent Witness. Callers never have to give their names and rewards pay from $100 to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest. Call (928) 932-3232.
