Customer shoots at bank robber in West End

Beaumont Police released photo from Tuesday's attempted bank robbery in Beaumont's West End. Authorities are still searching for the suspect. Beaumont Police released photo from Tuesday's attempted bank robbery in Beaumont's West End. Authorities are still searching for the suspect. Image 1 of / 8 Caption Close Customer shoots at bank robber in West End 1 / 8 Back to Gallery

A West End bank robber armed with a BB gun escaped with a bag full of cash on Tuesday afternoon, but not before a customer with a concealed handgun licence fired off two rounds in his direction.

Beaumont Police said the masked robber, dressed in an Orange Nomex jumpsuit, robbed the Third Coast Bank on Dowlen and Phelan around 4 p.m.

The robber brought his own plastic bags that he gave to a teller to fill with cash, police said.

A bank customer, who police described as being a middle-aged man from the area, shot twice at the robber as he ran to the front door, shattering one of the panes of glass.

Witnesses told officers they saw the robber hide between cars in the parking lot as the customer continued to fire.

The shooter told police he got off three additional rounds outside the bank, striking one of the robber's car tires.

"He's positive he struck the back window and right passenger tire," said Officer Joe Ornelas.

Ornelas said officers determined at the scene that the shooter had his concealed carry license. Ornelas said he does not anticipate any charges will be filed against the man.

Ornelas stressed, however, that the department does not encourage citizens to take the law in their own hands.

There are a number of nearby businesses and innocent people milling about could have been stuck by a stray bullet, he said.

An employee at Water Tree, which is adjacent to bank, said she did not realize the seriousness of the situation at first.

"I thought they were playing around," she said of the gunfire. "I even opened the door to see what was going on. Then I closed it and locked up pretty quickly."

Police were still looking for the bank robber as of press time Tuesday night. Officers described the his getaway car as a gray Honda.

BScott@BeaumontEnterprise.com

Twitter.com/BrandonKScott