BB&T Bank, located at 2198 Lakeway Drive in Russell Springs, was robbed on Tuesday, June 25 for the second time in just a little over a year.

According to Russell Springs Police Chief Joseph Michael Irvin, a complaint from BB&T Bank was received and the Russell Springs Police Department was dispatched to the scene.

The Jamestown Police Department, Russell County Sheriff’s Department and Kentucky State Police responded to assist.

Several officers responded and immediately began processing the scene and gathering video evidence from the bank and surrounding area.

It was determined that a white male wearing a white shirt, white ball cap, with a white mustache entered the BB&T Bank, demanded cash (large bills) and exited east behind Valero, entered a tan Ford Taurus, drove east on Highway 80 and turned south on Highway 127. A photo of the male and vehicle were posted on the Russell Springs Police Facebook page.

The investigation continued with efforts to both track movement and to identify the male suspect.

Columbia Police Chief Jason Cross had received information regarding the suspect being in Columbia within an hour to a few minutes before the BB&T Bank robbery, as a result of thesocial media posts.

Kentucky State Police Post 15 Commander Captain Bradley Stotts stopped by Russell Springs Police Department offering assistance. Captain Stotts put them in contact with personnel in the KSP Criminal Intelligence Section.

The information received from Chief Cross and assistance Captain Stotts provided was invaluable. Russell Springs Detective Sgt. Shirley obtained video and statements in Horse Cave that corroborated information received from Chief Cross and the KSP Criminal Intelligence Section.

With the assistance from the Russell County 911 Dispatch Center Supervisor Gary Wheat, Dispatcher Laura Willis, and others, the department began the process to locate the suspect. It was determined that he was in Greensburg, Pennsylvania.

On Friday, June 28, the Russell Springs Police Department obtained an arrest warrant on 51-year-old William L. Grabel for robbery second degree for robbing the BB&T Bank in Russell Springs on June 25. Grabel is currently in custody in the Westmoreland County Prison located in Greensburg, Pennsylvania.

Russell Springs Police Chief Irvin wished to thank all who assisted, as there are too many persons and agencies to name. Also a special thanks to local and surrounding county businesses that assisted them with videos.