Bank Teller Says Haunted By Back To Back Robberies

Teller supervisor of Union Planters Bank (now Regions Bank) Jennifer Hakeem told the court at the sentencing of Ernest Woodruff on Monday that “he robbed more than a bank. He robbed me of feelings of security I once I had.”

Judge Allan Edgar sentenced Woodruff to 462 months in prison and restitution of $201,022.

Woodruff pleaded guilty to robbing Union Planters at Eastgate twice and AmSouth Bank on Cummings Highway.

Prosecuting attorney Chris Poole said FBI Special Agent James Melia told him that “these were the worst robberies he has seen in the last 10 years without someone getting hurt.”

Ms. Hakeem said the “employees have invisible wounds that will never heal.” She said, “The robbery changed my life and the lives of 13 of my co-workers.”

She said after the first robbery she had nightmares, was startled by sudden noises and was less trusting of others. “I was beginning to put the event behind me, when he returned to inflict terror."

She said, “I used to be easy going and comfortable,” but now she said she has panic attacks in certain situations. “I fear that the image of two scary men pointing guns in my face will haunt me the rest of my life.”

Defense Attorney Rob Philyaw said Woodruff comes from a good family that has pleaded for mercy on his behalf. Attorney Philyaw recommended that Woodruff be placed in a drug treatment program while in prison.

“Woodruff was a follower in the event not a leader. It’s unfortunate that he chose to associate with those people and became susceptible to their influences,” said attorney Philyaw.

What are people saying about mortgages today:

Rates on 30-year mortgages edged down last week to a seven-month low. Mortgage-giant Freddie Mac reported Thursday that 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages fell to 6.3 percent, down slightly from 6.31 percent two weeks ago. It put rates at the lowest level since they were at 6.24 percent the first week of March.

Bank of Hawaii, Central Pacific Bank, Territorial Savings Bank and Wells Fargo Home Mortgages all cut their 30-year mortgage rates to 5.75 percent this week.

Most people think of a mortgage as a means to an end. After all, you buy a house, not a home loan. But a mortgage is much more than the path to homeownership. It is a financial instrument that must be managed, just like any other financial investment.