By Roger Lanse

According to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, at about 9 a.m. Monday, May 13, deputies were dispatched to an armed robbery call at the Fort Bayard Federal Credit Union at 11797 Highway 180 in Arenas Valley. They were assisted by New Mexico State Police and Silver City Police Department officers. The GCSO information officer told the Beat that a lone gunman wearing a black and white bandana had robbed the credit union and fled on foot.

No one was hurt, authorities said.

Sources said the helicopter circling the area is probably from the U.S. Border Patrol as that agency was asked to assist by providing a tracking dog in the hunt for the gunman.

According to Sheriff Frank Gomez, the crime scene has been secured and officers are awaiting the arrival of FBI agents.

Jittery local residents were warned the robber was thought to be armed and dangerous and to be on the lookout for him but not to approach him. Minor traffic delays are to be expected.