‘Lucky to be alive’: Man recounts carjacking by armed bank robber

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - “I just need to do what he says, I don’t want to get shot, I have a family at home.”

Those are the words of Allen Larkin— a returning visitor of Savannah— describing the terrifying moments that he experienced Thursday afternoon after leaving work.

He says he was sitting in his rental car when he noticed something wasn’t quite right.

“Out of nowhere I noticed a gentleman running behind me in a mask,” said Larkin.

Larkin says he locked the doors, but when looked to his left he was face to barrel with a gun.

“It happened so fast but it felt like an hour with that gun in my face,” he said.

Larkin says he did what the man in the mask asked him to do... get out of his car, then he ran to building beside him as quick as he could and called 911.

Within seconds police had the car surrounded.

“I was so frantic my hands were shaking. I couldn’t even dial 911 right away but as soon as they got on the phone, we could hear sirens and we saw cop cars driving by,” said Larkin.

Savannah Police confirmed to WTOC that they had responded to an armed robbery at the Bank of America.

SEE: Chatham County Sheriff’s Office investigating armed robbery at Bank of America on Victory Dr.

The sheriff who was on the scene also confirmed that they had a person of interest in custody and he was being questioned.

The sheriff’s office says they were even able to find items left by the robber.

“We recovered some property, we received some money, a mask and item that the robbery suspect had, and a bag or two,” said Chatham County Sheriff Richard Coleman.

As law enforcement continues to investigate the robbery at the bank. Larkin says he is lucky to be alive.

“Your life is not worth any vehicle or material items,” said Larkin.

According to the sheriff’s office the investigation remains open.