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Correction, update on bank robbery
CplJoshuaHeath
Hinesville police Detective Cpl. Joshua Heath collects evidence from a Jeep driven by a suspect in the robbery of one of the two Ameris Bank buildings in downtown Hinesville on Oct. 2. - photo by Cailtin Kenney

Editor’s note: The suspect in the Oct. 2 robbery of the Ameris Bank on Gen. Screven Way was identified by police as Fleming native Joseph Futch. An article on page 3B on Oct. 4 listed an incorrect surname.

Hinesville police Detective Cpl. Joshua Heath said the incident started around 2:15 p.m. Oct. 2.

A witness spoke with 911 operators while following a man, later identified as Joseph Futch, 50, driving a camouflage Jeep. Police swarmed toward the vehicle, which turned into the parking lot at the Old Liberty County Jail, next to The Heritage Bank drive-thru on South Main Street. Officers surrounded the vehicle and arrested the driver.

The amount of money stolen and the motive are currently being investigated by the FBI.

Heath said Hinesville police were able to provide information to the FBI regarding items recovered from the Jeep and a similar bank robbery that occurred at the S Bank on Gen. Screven Way in January. When the FBI questioned Futch regarding the items, Heath said, it prompted Futch to confess he was the one who robbed the S Bank.

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