Robber demanded cash at credit union

A man claiming to carry a weapon robbed the tiny Windsor County South Credit Union shortly before noon Wednesday, police said.
http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20150129/NEWS02/701299903

The Windsor County South Credit Union on River Road in North Springfield was robbed late Wednesday morning, police said, and an undetermined amount of cash was taken. Photo: Photo by Len EmeryPublished January 29, 2015 in the Rutland Herald Robber demanded cash at credit union By SUSAN SMALLHEER Staff Writer NORTH SPRINGFIELD — A man claiming to carry a weapon robbed the tiny Windsor County South Credit Union shortly before noon Wednesday, police said. The man, who was described by police as wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, black pants and black footwear, came into the credit union and demanded cash from the two women who work there. Springfield Police Chief Douglas Johnston said the man was described as 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighing 120 to 130 pounds and having a “clean” appearance. The man told the credit union employee he had a weapon, although nothing was shown, Johnston said. The robbery took place at 11:21 a.m. Credit union President Ernest “Puggy” Lamphere said Wednesday he was surprised that a robber targeted the small institution when there are larger banking and credit unions in town — even across the street. “But we’re right on the main road,” he said, “and they can take off north or south.” Lamphere, Springfield’s retired longtime fire chief, said he told the credit union’s two employees to go home for the day. “We’re closed,” he said. “I told the girls to go home. They were pretty shook up.” The credit union was founded in 1952 to serve teachers in nine area towns, including Springfield, said Jeff Mobus, vice chairman of the credit union board. He said the credit union had $7 million in assets. He said area teachers, their family members and their friends were members of the credit union. Mobus said he first joined because his mother was a teacher. The white clapboard building with black shutters, a converted home, is located on busy River Street, as Route 106 is called locally. Mobus said he’d gotten a call from Lamphere earlier in the day to tell him of the robbery, but few details. “We celebrated our 60th birthday just recently,” said Mobus, the town of Springfield’s finance director, or comptroller. Other directors of the credit union include Springfield High School teacher and school director Steve Karaffa. Springfield police officers at the scene referred all questions to Johnston, who later Wednesday issued a brief press release with a description of the suspect. Johnston said a surveillance camera image of the robber was not available at this time. Police radio reports said the robber had gotten into a white or light-colored vehicle. Anyone with information should call the Springfield Police Department at 885-2113.