James Bright

After almost exactly a year, the Union-Wallowa-Baker Federal Credit Union was robbed again Thursday, but this time with a different result.

The alleged robber was caught.

At about 4:57 p.m. Thursday, a man clad in a hooded sweatshirt,

ski mask, sunglasses and gloves walked into the credit union at 3 Depot

St. downtown and demanded big bills from the vault.

According to a press release from La Grande Police Department

Lt. Derrick Reddington, the man said he had a gun, though he did not

point it at anyone. Several employees observed a gun in the front

pocket of the man’s sweatshirt, according to the release.

The 9-1-1 dispatch center received a call from an employee of the bank saying the robbery was in progress.

“The caller was able to give a detailed description of the

suspect and the information was disseminated to patrol units,”

Reddington said.

From a position outside the bank, La Grande Police Officer

Sandy Isbell watched the suspect, James Bright, leave the credit union

by the main entrance. The suspect was challenged after he walked a safe

distance from the bank, Reddington said.

“He obeyed Isbell’s commands and was taken into custody without

further incident with the assistance of other officers,” he said.

Bright, 51, of La Grande, is charged with first degree robbery

in the incident. According to police, he had an unloaded handgun in the

pocket of his sweatshirt and a personal backpack containing a large

amount of cash taken from the credit union.

A criminal investigative unit responded and took over the scene

and investigation, collecting evidence and gathering witness

statements.

Reddington did not comment on whether Bright is a suspect in the other robbery, which occurred on Jan. 5, 2007.

There are marked similarities, however. The first robbery

occurred near closing time, at 4:56 p.m., and the suspect was described

as a male dressed in a hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans, ski mask and dark

glasses.

“If anyone has information that may be helpful with this or any

other investigation, please contact the La Grande Police Department,”

Reddington said.