Robber strikes again
Young Harris branch of Bank of Hiawassee the latest target
By JOAN CROTHERS Sentinel Writer

Sentinel photo/Jared Putnam Law enforcement officers check vehicles at the traffic light in Young Harris last Wednesday, September 6, after the Young Harris branch of Bank of Hiawassee was robbed shortly before 5:00 p.m. Union County Sheriff Scott Stephens assisted at the checkpoint.

Towns County experienced a second bank robbery last Wednesday, September 6, 2006 at 4:45 p.m. at the Young Harris branch of Bank Hiawassee. It was the same routine as robber pulled at Stephens Federal Bank

in Hiawassee one week earlier Tuesday, August 29, 2006.

In both cases a young white male, slight build, 5'8"-5'11", wearing sunglasses and a light-colored baseball cap, pushed a note to the teller demanding money, and saying he had a gun. The gun was not shown at either bank. both cases the robber walked out of the banks and quickly disappeared. According to the Georgia Bureau Investigation (GBI) this same person believed to have robbed the Region's Bank in Clayton, Ga., on June 7, 2006.

The Towns County Sheriff's Office has a person "of interest" that they are investigating, but no further information has been released at press time. Anyone with information concerning these robberies is asked to contact the Towns County Sheriff's Office at 706-8962765 or the Georgia Bureau Investigation at 1-800-597-8477.