UPDATED: Police say suspect now admits to recent Corbin bank robbery

A surveillance video still image of the robbery in progress at PNC Bank in Corbin last week.

A Barbourville woman reportedly told police that she robbed PNC Bank in Corbin Friday because she needed the money.
Evelyn Maxey, 39, was arrested and charged with the robbery hours after it occurred.

According to police, Maxey came into the bank on U.S. 25E about 4:10 p.m. and presented bank employees with a note stating she had a gun and wanted $10,000.

"She kept her hand in the pocket of her pullover," said Corbin Police Major Rob Jones, department’s public affairs officer. "The bank employees thought she had a gun."

Employees cooperated, giving her the cash in bundles. Once given the money, she ran outside with the money clutched to her chest and left in a vehicle, which Jones described as a new Chevrolet Cruze.

Jones said no one was injured in the robbery.

"It just scared one of the tellers really bad," Jones said.

Bank employees obtained a partial license plate number off of the car which led police to Maxey. She was picked up at the Barbourville Wal-Mart by Barbourville Police about 7 p.m. and brought back to the Corbin Police Department for questioning.

"We could not have done this without the help of Barbourville Police," Jones said.

Authorities obtained a search warrant for her home, located on Tye Bend Road, and her car, and recovered most of the money they believe was taken in the robbery. According to Jones, Maxey used some of the money from the robbery to pay off vehicles owned by she and her husband, bought a meal at a local restaurant and purchased hunting equipment.

In addition, police have recovered the clothes Maxey wore during the robbery, from behind the Corbin Kmart where she said she dumped them.

Maxey’s husband, whose identity is currently being withheld by police, was also questioned. However, he has not been charged in the robbery

"She said she was by herself," Jones said.

Maxey remains in the Knox County Detention Center on a $25,000 cash bond. Because the case involves a felony, a not guilty plea has been entered on her behalf in Knox District Court. She is scheduled to return to court Tuesday for a preliminary hearing to determine whether the case should be presented to a Knox County Grand Jury.

Jones said federal authorities have not gotten involved in the case and it is likely to remain in state court.

Under Kentucky Law, first-degree robbery is a class "B" felony carrying a potential prison sentence of 10 to 20 years.