SICILY&160;ISLAND, La. – Witnesses say a &uot;despondent&uot; Shreveport man apparently changed his mind after robbing the Sicily Island State Bank Thursday, leaving the money on the teller’s counter before fleeing in his vehicle. Sicily Island Police arrested Robert Thomas Ross, 30, of Shreveport, only minutes after Ross apparently threatened bank personnel using his concealed finger as a weapon and demanded money.

Sicily Island Police Chief Eddie Newman said bank employees pushed the panic alarm silently alerting police.

But when the cash was placed in Ross’ empty hands, bank CEO Byron Turner said the man’s expression suddenly changed.

&uot;He was despondent,&uot; Turner said. &uot;You could tell he just changed his mind, set the money back on the counter and walked out.&uot;

Sicily Island Police Officer Roger Punchard was on patrol a quarter-mile away when the call came over the radio.

Punchard steered his patrol car toward the bank and intercepted Ross’ car as he drove north on Louisiana 15.

The pursuit was a short one. Punchard estimates about two minutes passed from when the call came in and Ross surrendered to the blue lights and sirens and was placed in custody. &uot;That’s my first robber,&uot; Punchard said.

Ross was undisguised and Turner said unprepared. Though he did not believe Ross had a weapon, Turner said he &uot;didn’t want to take any chances.&uot;

&uot;You could tell the guy wasn’t experienced,&uot; he said.

Newman said Ross was charged with armed robbery and was being held without bond in the Catahoula Parish Jail pending a hearing on&160;Monday.

The incident is being investigated by the Sicily&160;Island Police, the Catahoula Parish Sheriff’s Office and the FBI.

The alleged robbery was a first for Turner as well, who has spent 18 years in the bank business. He said Sicily Island bank personnel are trained in what to do in the event of a robbery.

The incident occurred just after 10 a.m., one hour into the bank’s business day. In addition to personnel, two customers were present when Ross entered and delivered his demands. No one was injured, and Turner said one woman didn’t realize what had happened until the police arrived.

Once Ross had been identified and statements from witnesses taken, Turner said the bank reopened for business as usual.

&uot;I’m glad it turned out like it did,&uot; he said.

Newman praised the work of officer Punchard, who is in his first-year on the force.

&uot;He did a heck of a job,&uot; Newman said. &uot;It was good police work, but it was also God above too.&uot;