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Bank Robber’s Camper Shell Found Burned In North Escambia; Surveillance Photos Released
May 20, 2009
The camper shell from the truck believed to have been the escape vehicle in a Tuesday bank robbery in Atmore has been found near Bratt. And authorities have released surveillance photos from the crime.
The suspect in Tuesday afternoon’s armed robber of the First National Bank & Trust in Atmore was identified by police as Chad Floyd Jeter, 30, of 12066 Highway 31 in Canoe. He is believed to be armed and dangerous; police say a 22 caliber semi-automatic assault rifle was used in the bank robbery at about 3:30 Tuesday afternoon. Jeter is 5-foot 11-inches tall, weighs about 140 pounds and has brown hair and brown eyes.
A burnt out camper shell matching the description of one from Jeter’s truck was found on an isolated stretch of Pine Barren Road just north of Breastworks road following an early morning brush fire (pictured left, click to enlarge). Atmore Police, the Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Department and the FBI are investigating. Police say the words “Steel City” that were on the back of Jeter’s truck have been removed.
Atmore Police say Jeter walked into the bank with the rifle and demanded money. He fled the scene with an undisclosed amount a money, leaving a note behind stating that he believes the military has been watching him.
“This subject left notes stating that he was upset with the military and left information behind that he may be headed to one or several military bases to kill there. Suspect has also made statements that he would kill police,” Atmore Police said in a press release Tuesday night.
Atmore Police say that Jeter may be heading to a military base, and he is believed to be in a relationship with a female that resides in the Ft. Rucker area.
Jeter was last seen dressed in a dark trench coat and a navy blue baseball cap, possibly with a New England Patriots logo. He fled the area headed south on Pensacola Avenue.
He was last seen driving a white truck, possibly a GMC, with a rounded camper shell on the back. The camper shell had a sticker of three military men saluting on the side, police said. The words “Steel City” are written in orange or red on the tailgate of the pick-up. The camper shell and the “Steel City” wording have since been removed and burned in the Pine Barren Road fire.
Jeter has a history of mental illness and was not taking his medication at the time of the holdup, authorities reported.
There were no injuries in the robbery.
Authorities took a possible suspect into custody a short time later near the Baldwin County line. Police transported the suspect to the bank for identification (pictured above), but the white male was not the armed robber, authorities said. The man was released.
If you have any information on this robbery, call the Atmore Police Department at (251) 368-9141 or your local law enforcement agency. Police say not to approach Jeter if you know his whereabouts as he is considered to be armed and dangerous.
The brush fire was reported at 12:10 Wednesday morning. The McDavid Station of Escambia Fire-Rescue and the Florida Division of Forestry responded to the call.
Pictured top: A man believed to be Chad Floyd Jeter as he robs an Atmore bank Tuesday afternoon. Pictured bottom inset: In this NorthEscambia.com exclusive photo, an officer (left) stands a possible bank robbery suspect (right, behind the car) outside the First National Bank & Trust in Atmore Tuesday afternoon for identification by employees inside the bank. Pictured below: Survelliance photos from inside and outside the bank showing the suspect and his truck. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
28 Responses to “Bank Robber’s Camper Shell Found Burned In North Escambia; Surveillance Photos Released”
There is always speculation on why someone would do a thing such as this. There is also positive and negative things said about the way the investagation was handled or the security of the location and so forth. I have been involved in three different robberies, and one of the being with a gun pointed toward my stomach. You never know what people will do, or why they are doing it. I was angry at the person that held me up at a bank in Texas, but afterwards realized that in desperate times, people react and do things that they would not normally do. I hold no grudges against the man that did that to me, but it makes you more aware of your surrondings, and makes you more alert when you work in the public. I think in the big picture, we just need to be thankful that the employees of FNB are safe, and pray for them with the after effects that this may have on them. It effected me for some time afterwards. Job well done to all who was involved. Team work of any kind is always a plus.
Am I missing something???? I haven’t read one comment on here where anybody has said anything bad about his mother or family. It has all been good about his family. So, please stick to the matter at hand. HE robbed the bank! Let’s pray he gets found and gets the justice and help he needs without hurting anybody!
What Chad has done has nothing to do with Northview. And yes, sometimes mental illness takes control. But downing his Mother and/or parents is not correct either. As parents we can do our very best and our children still may falter. None of us are perfect. And at a certain age you have to be responsible for your own actions. But when mental illness is a factor, it makes it harder to keep yourself grounded. I personally dont think people should judge this situation until all the facts are in. Yes, it was a stupid action. But he truely may need serious help. All we can do is be on the look out for him and contact the police. No one needs to make his Mother feel like crap. Nor does anyone need to accuse Northview faculty of anything. I’m sending prayers to his family. And for him to know not to hurt anyone, including himself and to turn himself in so his Mother will not be so worried.
RE: People, please remember this is someone’s son,grandson, brother, nephew, brother-in-law, uncle and THERE BY THE GRACE OF GOD
And those in that bank were people’s sons, daughters, nephews, nieces, brother-in-law, sister-in-law….etc…. And they were scared out of their wits!!! They did not ask for anyone to come in and ruin their day! And for some this has ruined more than just a day!
Just take a look at the photos. They say it all! A normal person does not walk into a bank with a gun and demand money!
Chad was a sweet boy when he attended Northview. He lived in my neighborhood and has been to my home played with my children.Chad has had some problems since high school. I am proud that I live in the same area of Northview, The students at Northview that always help at the ball field have great manners. The R.O.T.C. students are wonderful. YES! NORTHVIEW IS THE FINEST! This is for the person who goes as WHO KNOWS
People, please remember this is someone’s son,grandson, brother, nephew, brother-in-law, uncle and THERE BY THE GRACE OF GOD GO I
This is a confused young man. And instead of pointing fingers and bad mouthing why not Pray for him and his family. He is LOVED very much by his family. Chad if you do read this please know that we love you and will continue to love you! Please turn yourself in before anymore mistakes are made. Your daughter needs her father….also your nephews need you too.
I am so Shocked.. I went to school with Chad and was friends with him. My Brother and his brother worked together. Their Mother worked at the School in the Lunch room.. You could not ask for a More Loving Mother…she raised her kids the best she could so don’t talk about her or the family .. Cause if you are saying bad things you don’t know this family they are not Crazy. They are a normal everyday family.. Chad has had it really bad and some times does things with out thinking what the out come will be. I pray that he do whats right and Turn him self in , I Pray that the family be strong during this hard time. .. And You cant blame the School.. Cause I too attended Northview..
i have an uncle w/ mental illnes too. and if he doesn’t take all of his medication it gets really wild at my dad’s house when is there. not that he would go and do this but he does get mad or mean when he doesn’t this guy just hasn’t taken his medication but once they get him and give it to him then i beleve he will be back to normal and i pray for the family.
It is not too far fetched that Chad himself is reading these comments. He is very knowledgable with computers and may be keeping up with the news. Chad, this is a plea for you to turn yourself in to the authorities. No one has to be injured. You can receive the help that you need. I have met you on a few occasions and know that you are a good person.
This breaks my heart. I knew him from school, and he was always so sweet. I hope and pray everyone gets through this without getting hurt.
Chad is from a good family. Mental illness is a sickness just as much as physical illness. Remember that his family will be reading this website and it does no good to call him a “crazy person.” Sure it’s scary, but watch your comments because his family has been hurt enough by this and they are very nice people.
You can’t blame the school!!! People are going to do what they are going to do no matter where they go to school or how they are raised or what their parents are like or how much money they have or don’t have or what ever the situation is….Just like willard purdue said, “You can pray, talk, plead with love ones, friends, strangers but the choice is theirs at the end.” So instead of criticizing the bank, the parents or the school try praying for this person, his family and anyone that he may come in contact with that he doesn’t hurt them. Yesterday could have been a lot worse for everyone involved and you should be thankful that it wasn’t. If you weren’t there when it happened yesterday, then you don’t know the whole story and therefore should really think before you comment on something that you don’t know what you are talking about.
Another one of Northview High School’s Finest!
Why would anyone strike out at a criminals family? You can pray, talk, plead with love ones, friends, strangers but the choice is theirs at the end. This day and time, there is no ryme nor reason things happen. The devils walking.
I knew this young man as a boy, sweet child. Just like many of ours. Which we say, my child will never….etc. Well, we really don’t know. Many a parent has thought or said these words only to cry in disbelief. As his actions go so shall be his punishment. Pray, fellow citzens, pray. Pray for those who were kept safe. Those who are in danger and pray for our society. That neighbor, preacher, church, children, that person who seems to be down Help one another as much as possible.
I’m sure the bank had cameras! If you already know who the suspect is, then why is it necessary to see the robbery in action. The people involved lived it once, I’m sure that we, the public, don’t need to relive their tramatic situation. I just pray that Chad Jeter doesn’t hurt anyone, and the police don’t have to hurt him while trying to resolve this situation. I understand the girl’s comments above, but I know this family, and they are good people. They are not crazy. My prayers are with them thru this ordeal. You haven’t heard of bank robberies in years, but with the economy lately, I fear that we will hear about more of them soon. Pray for our country!!!!
How do they know who the robber is if they haven’t caught him yet? Did someone know him and recognize him? Did he already have a record? How could he manage to get away so easily without someone helping him? Atmore doesn’t seem like the kind of place that you could easily disappear in, so it is strange that he hasn’t been caught since he was so quickly recognized.
Chad has has had some problems in the last several years. His mother has tried to get him help. She is a good mother. I pray that he will be caught with out hurting anyone or his self. Chad attended Northview High and Bratt Elementary with my children.His mother worked in the lunchroom at Bratt for years. Our prayers will be with you and your family that this will end soon.
Im so glad that everyone is ok. Its almost impossible to keep these kid of crazy people away. My mom works at this bank and Im so thankful to have her and everyone else safe. Dont criticize the bank because some crazy person. You can only do so much. All we can do is pray they find him and that he doesnt hurt anyone. Great job on tracking this William….this site is the best!
I know him….
After 30 years dealing with bank robberies & bank security the bottom line is that bank security cameras have Never deterred a bank robber from entering a bank all they do is show the suspect terrorizing the bank teller with a nice digital photo. This is proven by the thousands of unknown bank robber photos on the FBI websites, WeTip etc., the suspect are seen laughing at the cameras and giving them the ‘bird’.
There is no mention in article about the bank’s preventive robbery measures; security guard or Access Control door. What did banks do with 100Billion $$ of taxpayer money. Try asking your bank manager
Mike Alerich
Ret. Los Angeles County Sheriff Detective
http://www.bank211s@mike-blogspot.com
the bank does have cameras / remember the ones who were in this situation.they are rightfully shaken up by this. pray for them. william you were on this quick, thanks alot for the information, as part of my life was in that bank.
Atmore PD has not released any suspect photos from bank cameras as of 6:50 p.m.. We will post the photos if/when they are released. The story does not say the bank does or does not have cameras.
Why didn’t the bank have cameras. This bank was just renovated, you would think that as long as it took to renovate, it would at least have cameras.
Manz the police in Atmore is quick.
Hope he is caught!
Can’t believe how quick you are!
WOW. Didn’t this bank have camera’s for his debut?