A suspect is in custody following the armed robbery of the Truist Bank in Troutman Friday morning.
The suspect took an undisclosed amount of cash from the bank on Wagner Street before leaving on foot.
Schools in the area were placed on a brief lockdown.
After a short chase, the suspect was hit by a patrol vehicle before being taken into custody. No other information including the name of the suspect has been released.
3:30 pm update
Russell Lee Carruth
Troutman Police Chief Josh Watson said officers were dispatched after a silent alarm was received. Shortly after the robber left, the police spotted him and chased him on foot. The suspect ran in the direction of Troutman Elementary and Troutman Middle schools. The chase led the schools to initiate precautionary lockdowns as the suspect was believed to be armed.
Watson said employees of the bank provided a detailed description of the suspect as well as information that he was armed with a large knife.
The suspect was stopped on Rumple Street in close proximity to Troutman Elementary School. According to Wyatt, Carruth was apprehended by the chief using his Troutman police vehicle. Wyatt said no injuries were reported.
“Watson made the appropriate decision to allow the use of force with a vehicle as the armed suspect was fleeing toward the schools,” Wyatt said.
Carruth is charged with attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon and two counts of second-degree kidnapping. He was taken before an Iredell County magistrate who set bond at $400,000.
Carruth is currently on federal probation for a previous bank robbery conviction.