Attempted Bank Robbery Thwarted in Effingham

(BRADLEY R. BENNETT)

A local man is in custody after being arrested in connection with a holdup that was still in progress when police arrived.

The suspect has been identified as 45-year-old Bradley R. Bennett of Effingham.

Effingham City Police responded at 11:51am Friday to a 911 call from an employee reporting a robbery in progress at 5/3 Bank at 200 E. Jefferson Avenue. Upon arrival moments later, officers were able to take the suspect into custody without incident.

After an initial investigation into the incident, officers determined that Bennett allegedly entered the bank and approached a teller with a note demanding money and stating he was armed. After Bennett was taken into custody, he was booked into Effingham County Jail on a single count of Aggravated Robbery, a Class 2 Felony that carries a sentence of three to seven years in prison. The investigation is ongoing.

The bank was open for business at the time, but no injuries were reported by employees, customers, or law enforcement personnel. Officers did locate a weapon when searching Bennett.

Lieutenant Detective Tom Webb praised everyone involved in the incident, stating "I am very proud of our Officers and their outstanding work in resolving this attempted armed robbery incident swiftly and safely. Thanks to their unwavering dedication and professionalism, we achieved a successful outcome that prioritized the safety of both the public and our officers. This success serves as a testament to the collaboration with our department and the financial institutions in our community to coordinate an immediate and pre-planned response. I thank everyone involved in this operation, including the bank employees who were trained and followed protocol to ensure swift police response. Our department remains steadfast in our mission to uphold the peace and security of our city."