Sumter police searching for suspect who robbed SAFE Federal Credit Union

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A bank in Sumter was robbed Friday morning.

Sumter Police Department officers are searching for a man who fled with an undetermined amount of money from the SAFE Federal Credit Union on Oswego Highway.

The suspect was seen on surveillance video footage getting into the passenger side of a light-colored sedan, which police say was possibly a Toyota Avalon. Based on surveillance photos, the suspect is a black male who is heavy-set with short hair, a short beard and wearing a light-colored T-shirt.

It did not appear based on initial surveillance photos provided to The Sumter Item that the robber was holding a firearm, but one angle did show him holding a thin metal-like object that resembles the top to a screwdriver.

With the first calls coming in about 9:45 a.m., bank employees and customers were still on lockdown inside the building after 11 a.m. with the police department on scene. There have been no indications anyone was injured.

The family of the teller the robber targeted was waiting across the street at Grace Cathedral Ministries. Two women said they found out she was inside and the teller during the incident when surveillance photos were posted online.

They said she has since been able to make contact with her mother and that the rest of them will wait until she comes out.

Anyone with information should call 911 immediately or (803) 436-2700.

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This story will be updated.