Police released this security camera photo of the man who robbed the BB&T branch on Main Street Thursday.

(updated 5:58 p.m.) The BB&T bank branch in downtown Davidson was robbed around 2:15 Thursday afternoon. Police said they are still seeking the suspect, a black man who fled on foot toward I-77. (Davidson College police reported incorrectly around 3:30 p.m. that the man had been captured.) There were no injuries. Davidson IB Middle School and Davidson Elementary School, both on South Street not far from downtown, were both briefly in lockdown.

Davidson police cruiser outside the Main Street BB&T branch around 2:30 p.m. (David Boraks photo)

The man may have been involved in another robbery in Iredell County, Davidson spokeswoman Sara-Lynne Levine said late this afternoon.

Davidson Police issued an alert at 3 p.m. saying that a black male robbed the bank, at 137 N. Main St. The alert said, in part:

“Police are looking for a black male, mid 20’s, approx 5 foot 9 inches. The suspect is described as thin with shoulder-length dreadlocks wearing a white and black patterned jacket with a hood and baggy black pants. The suspect left the bank on foot. Local police, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police and other authorities are assisting at this time.

Sign on the BB&T in Davidson at 2:30 p.m. (David Boraks photo)

“If you see someone matching this description, do not approach and call 911 immediately. To provide the Davidson Police Department with information about this crime call 704-892-5131.”

Davidson College Campus Police Chief Fountain Walker sent a similar email alert to college employees at 2:35, with the following: “We have just been advised of a bank robbery at BB & T bank in Davidson. No injuries reported and the suspect is known to be heading west towards the Interstate. The suspect is a black male, about 5’10 inches in height, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with white patches. Police are searching the area for this individual. If you come in contact with someone fitting this description contact police immediately, do not approach.”

Neither alert said whether the man was armed.

Chief Walker sent a second message to employees around 3:25 saying the man had been caught in Cornelius. But that information proved incorrect.

No information was immediately available about how much money the man got away with. Shortly after the robbery, police were visible inside the building, blinds were drawn, and a sign on the door said the branch was “temporarily closed.”

Several police cars were seen speeding south on Main Street just before 2:30, and a police helicopter was flying circles over downtown.

LOCKDOWN AT SCHOOLS

Davidson Elementary School and Davidson IB Middle School, on South Street, briefly went into lockdown. The IB school was in lockdown as the 3 p.m. school closing approached. At about 3:10, students were allowed to leave. Elementary school students left at the usual 3:30 closing.

IB school Principal Jo Karney told DavidsonNews.net she heard about the incident from a school visitor. She called police and was told that a suspect was on the loose, though it wasn’t clear if he was armed. She said she decided to hold students until the situation was clearer. At 3:10, after consulting with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools security officials, she let the buses roll.

Davidson Elementary Principal Celeste Ellis sent out a mass phone message to school parents at about 4 p.m. explaining that there had been a lockdown for about 45 minutes due to the bank robbery.