Downtown Olympia streets closed after robber leaves mysterious package

The Olympia Police Department closed some downtown Olympia streets Friday afternoon after a robber left a suspicious package at Olympia Federal Savings Bank.

By 6:30 p.m., the package had been deemed safe and roads were reopened, but the robbery suspect remained at large.

The response was triggered when a man entered the bank’s downtown branch about 3 p.m. and demanded money. He told the teller he had an explosive device, Lt. Paul Lower said.

When the teller didn’t give the man money, he ran out, leaving the package behind.

Police closed several streets around the bank and evacuated the bank and other nearby businesses.

The Washington State Patrol Explosives Unit examined the package and determined that it was not an explosive device.

“There was enough paraphernalia on that package that it did resemble a bomb,” Lower said. “Our detectives will be taking a look at it to see exactly what it’s made of.”

Security footage shows the suspect, wearing a trench coat and striped hat, leaving the scene. However, witnesses reported that he took off his hat and coat while running away.

Anyone with information about the suspect or incident is asked to call the Thurston 911 Communications non-emergency line at 360-704-2740.

This story was originally published February 10, 2017 at 7:05 PM with the headline "Downtown Olympia streets closed after robber leaves mysterious package."