Two bank robbers escape with 'substantial' sum after forcing manager, pair of tellers into vault

Two gunmen forced the manager and two tellers of a downtown bank into the vault yesterday morning and stole money in what investigators called a "substantial" robbery that occurred before the bank opened for business.

Baltimore police refused to reveal how much money was taken. Bank robbers typically get no more than $2,000, but investigators said much more was taken yesterday.

The robbery was the 67th bank holdup in Baltimore this year. The city is on track to break the all-time record of 116 in 1993.

Police said the gunmen apparently were waiting for the manager to show up at NationsBank in the 300 block of W. Lexington St. They confronted the manager about 8: 30 a.m. as he opened the front doors.

Agent Robert W. Weinhold Jr., a city police spokesman, said the armed men forced the manager and two tellers in the vault, stole money and then ran out.

The manager called police. No customers were in the bank.

Pub Date: 7/30/96