A midday bank robbery at a bustling Anchorage mall has prompted an FBI search for an unidentified suspect.

According to Alaska's News Source, the FBI is investigating a robbery that took place Friday at the Wells Fargo bank inside Anchorage’s 5th Avenue Mall, where a man threatened a firearm and fled with an undisclosed amount of money.

The incident occurred around 1:40 p.m. on Friday when a man approached a bank employee inside the Wells Fargo location and handed over a note demanding cash. According to the FBI, the note also indicated the presence of a firearm, though no weapons were displayed during the encounter.

The suspect exited the area immediately after the robbery, and authorities have not yet determined his direction of travel or method of escape. No injuries were reported during the incident, and bank staff complied with the demands made in the note. Witness accounts revealed that just before entering the bank, the suspect had been sitting in a massage chair located outside the bank’s entrance. This detail has become a key part of the investigation as authorities piece together a timeline of the suspect’s actions before and after the robbery.

Suspect Description Released by Authorities

The FBI has released a brief description of the suspect and is encouraging anyone with information to come forward. Witnesses described the man as standing about 5 feet 5 inches tall, and possibly in his 40s or 50s. Authorities have not provided information on what clothing was worn.

“An unknown suspect presented a note demanding money to a bank employee,” the FBI stated in a Saturday morning update on social media. According to the same update, the note “indicated the suspect had a firearm.” Information regarding the amount of money taken has not been disclosed at this time. The FBI and local police have not yet confirmed whether there is surveillance footage of the robbery or the moments leading up to it.

FBI Requests Public’s Assistance With Identification

The Anchorage Field Office of the FBI is leading the investigation and is urging residents to assist in identifying the suspect. Tipsters are encouraged to call (907) 276-4441 or submit tips online at tips.fbi.gov. All information can be shared privately and may help move the case forward.

Authorities believe that someone in the community may have seen the suspect in the area either before or after the crime. The timing—early afternoon in a busy shopping mall—raises the chances that witnesses caught sight of the man at some point. There is no word yet on whether the agency believes the suspect may have committed similar crimes in the past, or whether this incident is potentially related to any other cases in the region.

Safety Measures and Investigation Continue

Investigators have not stated whether the bank remained closed following the event, but standard procedures often include temporary closures while evidence is collected and staff are interviewed. It was not immediately clear if any security camera footage from the bank or nearby businesses had been reviewed publicly.

The 5th Avenue Mall is a major commercial hub in central Anchorage, home to numerous stores and foot traffic, especially on a summer Friday afternoon. This has prompted concern from residents and shoppers alike about how such a crime could take place in daylight hours in a populated setting. So far, no arrests have been made in connection with the robbery. The FBI has not discussed whether they have any leads beyond the witness descriptions already released.

Witness Accounts Could Be Crucial

Several bystanders have cooperated with investigators and helped describe the suspect seen at the massage chair near the bank. These accounts may help construct a timeline and potentially trace the suspect’s movements before and after the incident.

The use of a massage chair as a waiting spot before the robbery has sparked interest among investigators, as it suggests the suspect deliberately lingered in the area before taking action. It is unclear whether this was part of an attempt to avoid suspicion or to surveil the bank’s operations. Bank employees have not spoken directly to the media but are likely to be key witnesses as the investigation progresses. The FBI has confirmed that interviews with staff were conducted as part of the response.

Next Steps in Ongoing Search

As law enforcement continues pursuing leads, the hope is that public assistance and tips can expedite the process of identifying and locating the suspect. In many robbery cases, community involvement has played a pivotal role in reaching a successful resolution. The Anchorage community is being advised to remain alert and report any information that could be relevant, even if it seems minor.

The FBI has reiterated that anonymous tips are accepted and may prove significant in advancing the case. With a formal investigation now underway and public awareness rising, authorities are confident that further developments in the case will emerge in the coming days.