Crime & Safety

Columbia Man Charged in Laurel Bank Robbery

Officials recovered more than $20,000 in the man's vehicle after a chase, police said.

Police said that Robert C. Williams, 42, of Columbia was charged in Wednesday's PNC Bank robbery on Main Street in Laurel.

Officers with the Laurel Police Department responded to the bank at 390 Main Street for a holdup alarm around 9:30 a.m., and witnesses called 911 to report that a man had robbed the bank, according to the Laurel Police Department.

Williams, who was unarmed, entered the bank and demanded money repeatedly, then left with $20,650, police said.

When the first officer arrived at the scene, a witness pointed out the suspect, who had gotten into a green minivan, according to the report.

Despite the officer's attempts to stop the vehicle, Williams continued to flee, police said.

Williams gave chase into Howard County, where Howard County officers and Maryland State Police assisted, the report stated.

On MD Route 175, Howard County police released stop sticks to disable the vehicle, which got a flat tire before wrecking on Thunder Hill at Twin Knolls roads, according to the report.

When the suspect got out of his vehicle, he ran away and Laurel Police officers pursued and apprehended him on nearby Oakland Mills Road, police said. 

Police said that officers found a backpack in the minivan containing the stolen $20,650.

Williams, of the 5700 block of Stevens Forest Road, was taken into custody and charged with robbery; theft between $10,000 and $100,000; and resisting and interfering with an arrest.

Related: Laurel Bank Robber Caught in Columbia, Police Say


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