APD are investigating a bank robbery in south Austin

Austin police are investigating a bank robbery in south Austin that resulted in a SWAT standoff.

The robbery happened around 10:30  Monday morning at the Capital Credit Union on East Ben White Boulevard.

Police arrived at the scene after a caller reported the bank robbery.

“A male entered the bank at this location, demanded money and left with an undisclosed amount of cash,” said Austin police officer Destiny Winston.  

Investigators said the man was wearing dark clothes, had dark hair and was wearing a hat, but they have not released any other details about his appearance. He reportedly left the bank in a 4-door, dark colored vehicle.

“Now, based off the initial on-scene investigation, the vehicle matching the suspect's vehicle description was located at the 8500 block of south I-H 35,” Winston said. 

That car was tracked down to the Griffis Southpark apartment complex about an hour after the robbery, and SWAT was called to the scene to help.

Several people in nearby apartments were evacuated as a precaution

“Really, I just had a bang at the door from some Army, SWAT, or military men. They were asking if my apartment went all the way through to the back street where all the action was going on. I guess they were just trying to evacuate everybody out of the area who could possibly get a stray bullet,” said Kerri Hardman who lives at Griffis Southpark.

“Based off of SWAT’s assistance, and also the investigation conducted, robbery is in the process of interviewing witnesses. They do have individuals detained that may have some knowledge regarding this incident,” Winston said.

It is still unclear whether the suspect had a gun during the robbery, but SWAT did bring the standoff to an end around 2:15 Monday afternoon.

“SWAT was able to clear the residence and the scene and brought this incident to a peaceful resolution,” said Winston. 

That's good news for Hardman, who was not only asked to evacuate her apartment, but also learned she had another connection to the possible suspect when she visited her bank.

“There was a police officer sitting outside and I said, ‘Mr. officer, can you tell me why everything's closed and why you're here?’ And he said, ‘Well, because this bank was just robbed,’ and I was shocked. And I explained it to him and he just said, very bluntly, ‘Your neighbors robbed your bank,’ Hardman said. 

Police are asking anyone with information about the robbery or the location the suspected vehicle was located to call them. The robbery tip line can be reached by calling 512-974-5092.