Submitted photo
Using bank security cameras, Portsmouth Police identified Quentin Hamrick as the suspect in a robbery at Atomic Employees Credit Union on Monday.
FRANK LEWIS
PDT Staff Writer
Early Monday evening Portsmouth Police arrested the man they say robbed the Atomic Employees Credit Union at 2741 Scioto Trail in Portsmouth Monday morning. Using a surveillance photo, police identified the robber as Quentin Hamrick, 32, who reportedly has a Portsmouth address but is currently considered homeless.
“We got a tip on where he was and we went out and arrested him,” Portsmouth Police Detective Sgt. Jim Charles said. “He will be charged with robbery and two counts of tampering with evidence.”
It took only seven hours to bring the manhunt to an end.
“At 10:01 a.m. we received a call at Atomic Employees Credit Union,” Portsmouth Police Detective Andy Dawes said. “The employees reported that a black male had entered the bank and had demanded money from one of the tellers.”
Dawes said Hamrick was able to flee the area with an undisclosed amount of money from the bank.
“We believe that he had a car waiting for him in the area, and that somebody was able to drive him out of the area,” Dawes said.
Dawes said officers expected to make a quick arrest once the word got out that they had an identification from a surveillance photo taken in the bank.
Dawes said Hamrick has a criminal background, having been convicted of aggravated robbery in 1998, and he said Hamrick has a prior record of burglary and aggravated burglary, and he was also charged with abduction in 2004.
Frank Lewis may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 232, or at flewis@heartlandpublications.com
The Atomic Credit Union, sadly enough, has posted their doors with the “criminal protection zone” sign that tells all law abiding CCW permit holders to stay away. It also tells criminals that it is illegal for anyone inside that business to possess a weapon. So when given a choice of which bank to rob, one with a guarantee that nobody will shoot back or one that may contain numerous permit holders as employees or customers, obviously the criminal will choose the one that guarantees his protection. I have read recently about some banks who actually post a “green concealed weapons permit holder friendly” sign on their door, welcoming law abiding permit holders, discouraging would be criminals and easing fears of employees about being a target simply because their employers advertises they protect criminals.
I am thankful that no one was hurt in this robbery and hopeful there will not be a next time.