By MARY JANE FARMER

HERALD DEMOCRAT

SHERMAN -- On Saturday, a man robbed the American Bank of Texas branch on Taylor Street, east of U.S. Highway 75 making off with money after giving the clerk at teller station one a note saying he was armed and wanted cash.

Sherman Police Sgt. Bruce Dawsey described the robber as being a white man in his late 30s or early 40s, with dark brown, short hair and glasses. He wore a dark-colored jacket and light blue jeans.

Sherman police are investigating.  Dawsey said both of the department's police dogs, trained in tracking, were brought to the scene, but neither picked up a scent.

Police are being careful about what information they release, and Dawsey said the case and the findings of their investigation will be turned over to the Federal Bureau of Investigation on Monday.

The bank's surveillance video, which Sherman police released to the media early Saturday afternoon, shows that at 10:12 a.m. the robber entered the bank, unmasked and wearing only regular eyeglasses on his face. He waited in line, even talking with other customers, for almost four minutes. It appears that others were allowed to go around him. At 10:19 a.m., he is shown turning from the teller's station and ducking underneath the black crowd-control ropes rather than walking directly toward the front door. The video shows two people still in line to conduct their business and a third person at another teller's window, all apparently unaware the bank had just been robbed.

Dawsey emphasized that the robber never displayed a weapon nor hurt anyone during the robbery. Because the note declared he was carrying a weapon, Dawsey added, it is considered an armed, or aggravated, robbery.

Anyone with information should contact the Dallas FBI Field Office at 972-559-5000.