Map highlighting the chronology of Wednesday's kidnapping and bank robbery in St. Mary's. Click for higher resolution map. (Map courtesy of Google Maps)
LEONARDTOWN, Md. (Sept. 24, 2008)—Police in St. Mary's County have released more details about the kidnapping of a PNC bank employee and her children this morning from their home in Lusby that preceded a bank robbery and the subsequent unsuccessful manhunt for the three suspects. Police have not released the names of the victims.
Police say that shortly after 7 a.m., 2 black males approached the victim, a PNC Bank Manager, and her two children (male 1 year old & female 5 year old) as they exited their residence in Lusby, Calvert County. The suspects ordered the victim and her children into her vehicle, a 2008 Chevy Tahoe, and drove to the PNC Bank located at 22658 Three Notch Road in California, Maryland.
Police say once at the bank, the two suspects ordered the victim to enter the bank, remove money, and return to the vehicle. After retrieving the money from the bank, the victim was ordered back into her vehicle. They were then driven to Green Holly Elementary School on Millstone Landing Road in Lexington Park, where she and her children were released unharmed. Police say the two suspects then fled the school in the victim’s Tahoe.
The Tahoe was abandoned at the CVS Drug Store located at Rue Purchase Road in Lexington Park. Police say at least one suspect was seen fleeing on foot.
Police identified an additional vehicle that was being used by the suspects after the Tahoe was abandoned. A 2003 - 2004 black Nissan Sentra with tinted windows, driven by a black male approximately 20 years old, was seen at the McDonalds restaurant on Three Notch Road in nearby California.
Roadblocks and checkpoints were setup at key locations throughout the county as police searched for the suspects.
Police believe there are a total of three men involved in the crime, all of whom are in their 20's. Two initial two suspects were wearing camouflage ski masks and camouflage shirts. One of the two suspects wore green pants. Police say they have no further description of the third suspect, the driver of the suspected getaway car.
St. Mary's County schools and Calvert County schools from Prince Frederick south were secured as a precaution. Calvert lifted the precautions at 1:15 p.m. St. Mary's schools dismissed early beginning at noon. The early dismissal was previously scheduled because of the end of the interim period.
Police are warning that the suspects should be considered to be armed and dangerous at this time. At least one long gun was displayed during the abduction and robbery.
The St. Mary's County Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), along with detectives from the Calvert County Investigative Team and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are continuing the investigation. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call detectives at 301-475-4200, ext. 1996 or Crime Solvers at (301) 475-3333.