LA PLATA, Md. - It's almost hard to believe, but people still rob banks in the year 2007. Fortunately, few of them ever get away with it. A 36 year-old Port Tobacco woman was arrested today just before noon as she attempted to flee from the BB&T Bank in La Plata. The quick apprehension was credited to the bank employees who promptly notified police via a hold-up alarm, giving police the opportunity to respond to the scene just as the robbery was ending.
According to the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, on Jan. 3 at 11:42 p.m., Sheriff's Deputies and La Plata Town Police officers responded to BB&T Bank located at 6640 Crain Highway in La Plata after being notified via the bank's hold-up alarm. While officers were en route, police communications personnel called the bank and spoke with employees. The employees advised that a woman had entered the bank and passed a threatening note to tellers demanding $40,000. The employees complied and gave the woman $39,850.
According to police, the woman exited the bank as officers arrived on the scene. Officers from both agencies apprehended her as she attempted to flee.
Six employees and a customer in the bank were not injured. The note passed to the teller indicated the woman had explosives. A responding K9 team conducted a search. They did not locate any explosives or suspicious materials.
The woman was identified as Terra Ellen Carson, 36, of Port Tobacco. She was arrested and transported to the Charles County Sheriff’s Office for questioning. She is being charged with robbery and will be held at Charles County Detention Center, pending an appearance before a district court commissioner.