A brazen robbery unfolded in a Louisiana bank, executed with a shocking level of calculated deception. Surveillance footage captured the entire scheme, revealing a man who arrived appearing severely handicapped, only to transform into a swift getaway artist moments after securing a cash haul.
The incident occurred shortly before 4 p.m. on a recent Friday at a Fidelity Bank branch in Slidell, a suburb of New Orleans. The suspect entered the bank hobbling with a cane and wearing a conspicuous neck brace, immediately raising the suspicions of vigilant bank employees.
He approached a teller and slid a demand note across the counter, then abruptly abandoned his charade. Witnesses described a sudden burst of speed as he stuffed an undisclosed amount of cash into a fanny pack and bolted for the exit, the limp vanishing instantly.
Bank staff were initially taken aback by the suspect’s elaborate disguise. The layers of clothing, face mask, and overall attempt to obscure his identity were immediate red flags, a spokesperson for the Slidell Police Department explained.
The suspect deliberately waited for other customers to leave before initiating the robbery, adding another layer of calculated planning to the audacious act. Once alone with the tellers, he launched into a theatrical declaration: “This is a robbery!”
He snatched the money, retrieved his note, and sprinted into the parking lot, disappearing from view with no trace of his earlier physical limitations. The speed of his escape was particularly striking, leaving investigators baffled by the performance.
Police and K-9 units immediately launched a search of surrounding neighborhoods, but believe the suspect likely escaped in a waiting vehicle. The suspect is described as a Black male wearing a gray tracksuit, bucket hat, neck brace, clear fanny pack, and a face mask.
While bank robberies are becoming increasingly rare due to advancements in security technology, this case stands out for its sheer audacity and the suspect’s commitment to deception. The elaborate ruse, from the feigned injury to the swift escape, was described as “something else” by authorities.
Investigators are now meticulously analyzing evidence and pursuing new leads, expressing cautious optimism about a potential breakthrough. They are urging anyone with information, or who may have captured footage of the suspect on home security systems along Choctaw Drive, to come forward.
The Slidell Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspect, hoping to bring the perpetrator of this remarkable crime to justice. They can be reached at 985-643-3131 with any relevant information.
