Woman claims she was forced to rob Jacksonville bank three suspects caught by FBI agent

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A woman says she was forced to rob a bank on Lane Avenue South Tuesday morning.

It happened around 9:50 a.m. at the SunTrust near Ramona Boulevard.

According to JSO, three suspects tried to get away in a red SUV but were caught thanks to an FBI agent who happened to be in the area, heard the call on his radio, and was the first one to arrive.

"If it wasn't for him being here and being in the area, that SUV could've been long gone," said Lt. Dereck Boucher.

TRENDING: 

JSO says it all started when a woman walked into the SunTrust and sat down in the waiting area.

A short while later, a personal banker approached her, they started talking, and then the woman asked the banker for pen and paper.

"As she's writing a note to the personal banker, letting her know that she's being forced to rob them," said Boucher.

Police said the woman had a weapon but said it was not a gun.

The woman also told the banker that the three people forcing her to rob the bank were outside.

STAY UPDATED: Download the Action News Jax app for live updates on breaking stories

Kathy Swafford got to the bank a little before 10 a.m. just as JSO began to surround the area.

"There's still kids going to school at that time, and I know kids catch buses on this street. It's kind dangerous," said Swafford.

There were five employees and six customers inside the bank at the time, but no one was hurt, and no money was taken.

A bank robbery or attempted bank robbery is a federal crime, so the FBI agent was well within his right to arrest the suspects.

Action News Jax asked if the woman had indeed been kidnapped.

JSO said that is under investigation. We're also still waiting to learn what charges the suspects will face.

Cox Media Group