University of Virginia Library

Bank Receives Bomb Threat

Photo by David Hunt

This Office Was Victim Of Bomb Threat Wednesday Afternoon

Unidentified Caller, Possibly Politically Motivated, Demanded A Reported $100,000

While most of the University
community went about its business as
usual last Wednesday afternoon, the
Virginia National Bank was the victim of
a bomb threat.

An unidentified man telephoned that
a bomb would explode if he did not
receive money within twenty minutes.
Although it has not been confirmed, it is
reported that he demanded $100,000.

A bank official, M. E. Tremain,
received the call shortly before 1:50 p.m.
The voice told him to have "all the
money" prepared in $5, $10, and $20 bills, put
into a package and taken to the Downtowner
Motel located at Emmet Street and Ivy Road.

The voice instructed Tremain to have the
money placed by a garage door near the
electronic equipment that opens the door, and
by a hedge nearby. The voice advised Tremain
not to call the authorities, saying that the
building was surrounded and that if the money
was not delivered the band and all of its
employees would be blown up.

The voice also said that the homes of the
banks' employees would also be blown up. If
the money was delivered, the voice said that
Tremain would receive the bomb detonator
with five days.

Tremain described the voice as "slow and
steady."

A package was prepared, which reportedly
contained no real money. It was delivered by a
bank courier to the specified location, where
police detective W. W. Duff watched, but no
one appeared to pick up the money.

According to police chief C. O. Durham the
FBI has joined the investigation. A statement
from Bernard J. Haggerty, Regional Executive
Officer for Virginia National Bank, said
"According to local police authorities, this
appears to be part of a national program of
harassment, which we deeply regret has reached
the Charlottesville community and which we
most sincerely hope we can work together to
avoid in the future."