FBI investigating Blanco bank robbery

BLANCO, Texas (KXAN) - Federal agents are at the scene of a Blanco bank robbery to assist the Blanco Co. Sheriff’s office. Mayor Christina Gourley said it happened at Security State Bank located at 1000 U.S. 281 just before 7 a.m.

The Blanco County Sheriff's Office said investigators are now looking for three men who fled after they took the bank's night deposit. A dispatcher with the sheriff's office said the amount "probably wasn't much, because of the time."

Investigators also said the robbers, who they believe were wearing dark ski masks, tied up two employees already at work. No one was hurt in the crime, according to the sheriff's office.

"I am en route back to Blanco from a trip to San Antonio," Gourley told Austin News on the phone around noon. "I'm getting updates as we go, but I know we have police stationed at our town's two other banks right now as a precaution."

Further details about the crime are very limited at this time. Blanco police are assisting the FBI in the investigation.

"We are handing everything over to the FBI office out of Austin," said Carl Bragg, interim chief of police. "It has been a very busy, unusual morning."

The robbery came the morning after the city council voted to appoint a new police chief in Blanco. Bragg had been serving in the interim after former chief, Everet Sonier, retired earlier this year after a long tenure with the department.

"Carl Bragg is coordinating with the prospective chief," said Gourley. "The plans for the new chief have not been finalized yet. To have something like this happen in the middle of this switch of hands is quite a challenge."

Gourley cannot yet announce the selection for Bragg's replacement, only that he is a reserve police officer in Blanco. The city has six reserve officers, all of which are being utilized in Wednesday's investigation.

Tuesday night, in a 3-1 vote outside of executive session, the city council voted to appoint a new chief based on a string of applicants since Bragg's interim status began on July 4. Before that date, he was the city's assistant chief of police and is expected to remain in that role after the switch.

"I am personally very disappointed he's not continuing as our chief," Gourley said. "He's done a wonderful job since he started, and the city is better off as a result."

Gourley, who has been mayor since May, said she will be meeting with the council's selection sometime today to negotiate the position. That person is also working with investigators at the scene of the robbery.

Hill Country Area Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for information leading to an arrest in this case. Call 866-756-TIPS.