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Police arrest Wingate bank robbery suspect

The robbery at American Bank sent Wingate University into lockdown Wednesday afternoon.

WINGATE, N.C. — Wingate University's main campus was on lockdown, the campus alert system announced midday Tuesday. Law enforcement investigated a robbery at a nearby bank.

"Please go inside and close windows and doors," the message warned.

Deputies with the Union County Sheriff's Office said it happened at the American Bank, which is located near the campus.

"Local schools have been locked down as a precaution while Wingate PD officers and UCSO deputies search the area," a message from the sheriff's office read.

On Thursday, the Wingate Police Department said they made an arrest in the case. 54-year-old Billy Joe Long was charged with common law robbery, a felony.

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Wingate University is located within the town of Wingate, which is in Union County along US-74 between Monroe and Marshville.

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