In a week spoiled by shameless thefts, Newport News is grappling with the unsettling reality of repeat bank robberies, leaving residents on edge and local businesses in lockdown. On Tuesday, the Old Point National Bank became the latest target when an armed man entered the bank with a mask on. Sending shockwaves through the community and raising questions about the motives behind this surge in crime.
The incident unfolded at approximately 2:36 p.m. when Curtis Roberston entered the bank. He revealed a threatening note to the bank teller suggesting he was armed. He demanded money which triggered a swift response from law enforcement after an employee notified them, prompted a nearby business to initiate a shelter in place. He took off on foot with an undisclosed amount of money. Heather King, a paralegal working in close proximity to the bank , recounted the tense moments to Newport news as her office succeeded the premise, a reminder of the fear that gripped the area.
Authorities have since arrested 38 year old Curtis Adam Robertson in connection with the Old Point Bank National robbery. The amount of money still remains undisclosed.Robertson faces multiple charges, including robbery and possession of a controlled substance. Meanwhile, the investigation into the Truist Bank robbery remains ongoing, with no arrests made so far. As the city grapples with these unsettling events, residents like Heather King voice concerns to Newport News about the area’s economic challenges, “with the current economy and situations going on, people are desperate for money. Especially with people being under furlough”. She suggests that desperation may play a role in the rise of criminal activity.
