Potomac robber carries pistol, umbrella

By Martin Weil,

The rain falls, according to the Bible, “on the just and on the unjust, ” and a man who robbed a bank in Montgomery County on Friday may have taken that idea into account.

The M&T Bank in Potomac was held up about 9:40 a.m. by a robber who seemed specially prepared for the wet weather conditions prevailing in the Washington area at that time.

He had a handgun, Montgomery County police said. But he also carried, according to the description released by the police, an item not normally included in descriptions of robbers. During the robbery, police said in a statement, he “carried an umbrella.”

Many people in many walks of life carry umbrellas, particularly on a day such as Friday, which was distinguished by dark clouds, a thunderstorm and heavy rain. More than half an inch was measured at Reagan National Airport.

But over the weeks and months, few descriptions of robbers have included umbrellas. Many wear hats, as did the man who carried out Friday’s holdup, according to police. Some have taken to donning hooded garments, such as the sweatshirt, which, according to police, was worn by the robber. He also appeared to be wearing a water-resistant jacket and pants, according to the description.

In the holdup, police said, the robber entered the bank in the 10100 block of River Road, approached a teller, showed a small black gun and demanded cash. He obtained an undisclosed amount, and went out the front door toward River Road.

The account did not say whether anyone saw the umbrella unfurled.