Bank robbery in Edwards puts schools on ‘lockout’ status as police search for female suspect

Update at 1:30 p.m. — This alert was sent out by Eagle County: “At the recommendation of the Sheriff’s office, the Lockouts at all Eagle County Schools have been lifted. All afternoon activities to resume as normal. Thanks for your patience and understanding.”

A bank robbery in the Edwards area has all Eagle County Schools and Colorado Mountain College on lockout status Wednesday morning – meaning school continues as usual inside but the doors are locked to anyone coming in from the outside without proper identification.

Eagle County officials made it clear around 10 a.m., with the first lockout notices, that students were not in danger or directly threatened, but the lockout was still in effect as of 11:30 a.m., and police are searching for a female bank-robbery suspect.

This alert went out at 11:30 a.m.:

“Heavy law enforcement activity in Edwards area, seeking info on bank robbery suspect. Described as female in mid 30’s, short, possibly 5’4, with blond/dirty blond hair, skinny in build, lots of freckles. Last seen wearing blue hoodie, grey beanie. If seen call 911 or dispatch at 970-479-2201.”

There was also some misleading information sent out in previous alerts. This alert was sent out by Eagle County Schools at 10:58 a.m.:

“It has been brought to our attention that some versions of the emergency emails sent out via SchoolMessenger at 10:16 AM contained a false line including ‘Edwards school lockouts lifted.’ The rest of the message was factually accurate, describing the expansion of the lockout to all schools. Other messages were jumbled with overlapping text. We apologize for these glitches and are looking into them.”

The Eagle County Sheriff’s Office provided this update on Facebook at about 11 a.m.:

Update- Updated/clearer photos- There may be multiple suspects in this incident. More information will be provided as information is received. Law enforcement is very active in the Edwards area at this time and are looking for the suspect in a robbery and attempted robbery that occurred just after 9:00 a.m., on May 1, 2019, in Edwards, CO. An undisclosed amount of money was taken by the suspect who then fled the scene on foot.suspect is described as a female in her mid 30’s, Short possibly 5’4, with Blond or dirty blond hair, skinny in build, with a lot of freckles. She was last seen wearing a blue hoodie with a grey beanie. Law enforcement will continue to saturate this area working diligently to ensure the safety and security of the community. If you have any information about this incident or the suspect in this incident please call 911. Please follow us here for up to date and accurate information on this incident.

The Eagle County Sheriff’s Office released this update at 5 p.m. on Wednesday — naming the two banks and providing more details:

The Eagle County Sheriff’s Office along with several law enforcement partners responded to a report of a robbery and attempted robbery that occurred just after 9:00 a.m., on May 1, 2019, in Edwards, Colo. Both the Wells Fargo Bank and the US Bank in Edwards had a female suspect(s) enter the establishments. The suspect at both locations handed the teller a handwritten note requesting money. It is unknown at this time if there are one or two female suspects involved in this incident. No one was harmed during the reported robberies.

The Eagle County Sheriff’s Office, Avon Police Department, Colorado State Patrol, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Eagle Police Department, and Vail Public Safety Communications Center worked collaboratively on this incident. Local schools were placed into lockout strictly as a precautionary measure, while law enforcement cordoned off the area and began their search and investigation into this case.

An undisclosed amount of money was handed over at the Wells Fargo Bank location. This individual was described as wearing baggy clothes which included a navy blue hoodie, a grey beanie, jeans, a baggy two-toned jacket over the top, and boots. The suspect who attempted the robbery at the US Bank was described as wearing a blue hoodie with a grey beanie. Both banks described the suspect(s) as a female in her mid 30’s, Short possibly 5’4, with Blond or dirty blond hair, skinny in build, with a lot of freckles.

Law enforcement will continue to work diligently to apprehend the suspect(s) in this incident and will continue to ensure the safety and security of the community and its citizens throughout this investigation.

If you were in the area of U.S. Bank or Wells Fargo Bank around the time of the incident and may have seen the suspect(s) or anything else, detectives are asking that you contact the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office. 

If you think you may have any information about the suspect(s) or this crime, please call the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office at (970) 328-8500 or Eagle County Crime Stoppers at 970-328-7007, 1-800-972-TIPS, submit your tip online at www.tipsubmit.com, or text a tip from your cell phone by texting STOPCRIME plus your message to CRIMES (274637).  If your tip leads to the arrest and indictment of any suspect involved, you could earn up to a $1,000 reward from the Crime Stoppers.