Duke Police Officers Foil ATM Robbery

Two Duke police Officers stopped an armed robbery Saturday at the corner of Main and Ninth streets.

No one was injured during the incident at Wachovia's walk-up ATM.

Cephas N. Teewia, 36, of Durham was arrested and charged with attempted armed robbery with a dangerous weapon. He was being held in jail on $52,000 bond.

Officers Brandon Perry and Gary Beneville were on patrol at 10:44 p.m. when a motorist flagged them down on Main Street and told them a man was being robbed outside the bank.

The victim, a 55-year-old Durham resident, was standing at the ATM and heard rustling in the bushes, said Duke police Lt. Sara-Jane Raines.

"The suspect jumped out of the bushes, ran across the parking lot and demanded that the man give him money," Raines said.

The suspect, who brandished a knife, ran when he saw the lights of the Duke officers' squad car, Raines said. As the officers approached the suspect, the victim ran toward them and shouted that the suspect had a knife and tried to rob him.

Raines said the officers ordered the suspect to stop and lay face down on the ground. The officers drew their guns in the "ready position," pointing the weapons at the ground.

"A lot of police work is being the right place at the right time," Raines said. "But you have to be prepared, and these guys were prepared for that."