Police continue search for credit union robber

Saturday March 31, 2012

PITTSFIELD - Police are searching for a female robber who made off with an undisclosed amount of cash from the Elm Street branch of Greylock Federal Credit Union on Friday afternoon.

Police said the perpetrator fled on foot toward East Street, possibly entering a dark-colored sedan near the now-closed Harry's Supermarket.

Tracy Potter of Hinsdale was in line waiting to cash a check when the robber entered the credit union just before 4:30 p.m.

Potter said the bank was crowded, but that the robber immediately stood out because she was dressed in all black and wearing a baseball hat and dark glasses.

"As soon as the robber went to the teller, I knew something was wrong

Police enter the Greylock Federal Credit Union on Elm Street in Pittsfield to investigate an armed robbery that occurred Friday. (Stephanie Zollshan / Berkshire Eagle Staff)

because the teller turned somewhat white ... I just knew," she said.

Potter said the woman handed the teller a note, the teller passed back a bag of money and then the robber casually walked out of the bank. As soon as the robber left, the teller broke down crying, Potter said.

"She was very upset and I got chills all over my body," she said. "It was freaky. I've never been in this kind of situation before."

John Bissell, the executive vice president of Greylock Federal Credit Union, praised his employees' poise under pressure.

"Our staff responded exactly the way you would hope a well- trained and well-prepared team would respond in a situation like this," Bissell said.

Police have asked the credit union not to disclose how much money was taken, he said.

"Our number one concern is always for the safety of our staff and we were relieved and pleased no one was harmed," Bissell said.

Police said they are actively pursuing all leads. They ask anyone with information to contact the Detective Bureau at (413) 448-9705.

Friday's robbery is just the latest in a city that has been plagued by robberies in recent months, although past hold-ups have targeted convenience stores, not banks.

On March 17, police arrested a Pittsfield woman in connection to four armed robberies. The suspect in that case, Danielle Kenyon, is currently being held on $50,000 bail.

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Listen to a witness who was in the bank at the time of

the robbery describe to our reporter what happened: ?

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