Anchor Bank in Elma was robbed at gunpoint late in the afternoon on July 20.

The robbery occurred at about 4:45 p.m. at Anchor Bank on South Third Street.

“A single male entered the Anchor Bank, he robbed the bank at gunpoint and got away with an undisclosed amount of money,” said Elma Police Chief Susan Shultz.

The Elma Police Department was processing the scene during the evening.

“We’re doing neighborhood canvases, we have several people who saw the individual,” Shultz said.

The suspect is described as a white male, about 6 feet tall, medium build and he was wearing a black sweatshirt and blue jeans.

“We’ve got some pretty shook up tellers,” Shultz said. “We’re working with them to get through it.”

President and CEO of Anchor Bank Jerry Shaw said the media would be advised as soon as there was something to release, but for now his concern is for bank employees.

“Our primary concern is the individuals who work for us, they have been through a very nasty experience and our desire is to make sure they’re okay,” Shaw said.

While it was unclear if customers were inside the bank at the time of the robbery, Shaw said there is equal concern for their well-being.

The Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Department, Montesano Police Department, Washington State Patrol and Washington Fish and Wildlife assisted the Elma Police Department with the call. Contact has been made with the FBI, and they will be assisting as well.

Elma police now have a person of interest in custody, according to Sgt. Ryan Cristelli, thanks to a tip received at around 8:50 p.m. July 20.

“Last night we received a citizen tip of a suspicious male subject in the area that K9 tracking had followed after the bank robbery, and we located an individual who had an outstanding felony warrant for an unrelated charge,” Cristelli said.

The tip led the police to the 200 block of South Bank Road in Elma. The individual was taken into custody on the warrant, and was booked at the Grays Harbor County Jail.

“As the investigation progressed, more and more evidence led to tying that individual to the suspect in the bank robbery,” Cristelli said.

The Elma Police Department has been examining video surveillance from various location around Elma. Cristelli said the evidence will be sent to the Washington State crime lab for examination next week, and that it may confirm the subject in the bank robbery.

“We may have more information later next week,” he said.

The Elma Police Department is located at 124 N. Third St. and can be reached by phone at (360) 482-3131 and email at police@cityofelma.com.