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Morgan bank robbed
By DEANNE WINTERTONNoon heist is first in a century
MORGAN -- What began as a typical weekday lunch hour in Morgan turned out to be anything but. For the first time in recent memory, a bank was robbed in Morgan County.
"This is a big deal in Morgan," said Sandy Carlos, owner/manager of Nebco gas station across the street from the First National Bank of Morgan at 120 N. State St. "This never happens."
And it hasn't happened to his business since it was established more than 100 years ago, bank President Stan Nielsen said.
"It's a wake-up call for everybody," Nielsen said. "It is a different world."
Dispatchers said the robber handed a teller a note demanding money. He was described as a balding man in his 20s who appeared to be Hispanic, wearing tan pants, tan work boots, and a dark jacket or hoodie.
He drove away in a late 1990s or early 2000 model silver or white single-cab Dodge pickup, said Sgt. Jason Lee, of the sheriff's department.
Authorities declined to disclose the amount of money taken in the robbery. The FBI has joined the investigation.
The robber did not use any weapon. No bank employees were injured, and none required extensive emotional counseling, Nielsen said.
Deputies canvassed the area on foot, searching for the suspect. The bank is within blocks of three public schools, all of which were put on alert.
As Morgan County deputies and Utah Highway Patrol troopers swarmed the bank, blocking off the parking lot with yellow police tape, life continued in the little town.
Just moments after the 12:10 p.m. incident, grandparents ate at the local drive-in with their grandchildren, motorists still pumped gas, mothers continued strolling their children on the sidewalk in front of the bank, and shoppers still picked up their groceries.
Most agreed that robbing a bank in a small town like Morgan is a little daring, but not many seemed too worried for their safety. The bank is located just across the street from the sheriff's department offices.
But people were a little curious. Neighbors behind the bank continued to pace the sidewalk, and employees at area businesses talked on cellphones while peering toward the bank.
Bank employees were held inside the bank for about four hours before it reopened for business.
"No one seemed too shaken, although it was traumatic," Nielsen said. "It was a first, and hopefully it will be the last."
Updated Wednesday April 9, 2008 at 12:15 a.m.Bank robbery in Morgan, police searching for suspect
MORGAN -- Police are searching for a suspect in a Tuesday afternoon bank robbery in Morgan.
The robbery happened at 12:15 p.m. at the FIrst National Bank of Morgan, 120 N. State St. Police are searching for a young male suspect, who appeared to be Hispanic.
Area schools were placed temporarily on lockdown.
Look for more information in Wednesday's Standard-Examiner.
Updated Tuesday April 8, 2008 at 1:19 p.m.
Add Your Comment
As a student and resident in Morgan, I agree with Kevin Tucker. Morgan has never had to worry about anything scary happening, and now it has come to this. Why would someone want to come to little old morgan when there are much bigger places around here.
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