BLUE RIDGE, Ga. – A suspect was apprehended by the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office(FCSO) Friday morning following a robbery attempt at the BB&T bank on 3831 Appalachian Hwy. in Blue Ridge.

According to the booking report issued by the FCSO, Andrae Decarlos Foster, 39, of Powder Springs, Georgia, was arrested Friday, Dec. 15, at 9:47 a.m. by FCSD Deputy Brian Wingate shortly after the robbery attempt.

(photo courtesy of Becky Dills Walker)

Capt. R.A. Stuart, of the Blue Ridge Police Department (BRPD), reported that Foster entered the bank at approximately 9:30 a.m., and while a customer was in the process of making a cash transaction, Foster knocked the customer to the floor, took the money from the counter and ran from the building. Stuart stated Foster was unarmed and the customer did not suffer any injuries in the attack.

Minutes later, after authorities spotted a vehicle matching that of the suspect’s at a business just south of the BB&T bank, Foster again fled in the vehicle traveling south on Hwy. 515 with FCSD Investigator Scott Galloway and Deputy Wingate along with BRPD Lt. Gary Huffman pursuing him. Fannin County Sheriff Dane Kirby confirmed authorities pursued Foster south on Hwy. 515 into Gilmer County and apprehended the suspect near Appalachian Supply Company just north of East Ellijay in Gilmer county.

Stuart reported that the incident ended “peacefully,” and Foster is currently being held by the BRPD in the Fannin County Detention Center. “It was a great effort and a quick response from both the FCSD and BRPD in apprehending the suspect,” Stuart stated, adding that credit is also due to Capt. Justin Turner, of the FCSD, for his assistance with arrest.

At this time, charges against Foster are pending with a probation hold from Cherokee County, Georgia.

After the incident, BB&T closed temporarily but is now open and operating under normal capacity.

David R. White, BB&T Vice President of Corporate Communications, spoke briefly on the incident saying, “First and foremost, at BB&T we are committed to providing a safe and secure environment for our associates and where our clients can conduct their banking business. We cannot comment further on this situation as to do so might compromise the safety (and) the security of our clients and employees.”

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