Attempted Bank Robbery Suspects Identified
Posted/updated on: July 2, 2011 at 7:35 am
RUSK – The four persons accused of trying to rob an Alto bank have been arraigned. They are Evandreal Cadarius Simpson, 19, of Palestine, Channing Nicole Johnson, 24, of Elkhart, Carl Kenneth Kelly, 22, of Palestine and Mujibur Whyamme Shaw, 36, of Palestine and previously of Jacksonville. They have all been charged with aggravated robbery, evading arrest, tampering with physical evidence and engaging in organized criminal activity.
Authorities say the four, all wearing bandanas, drove up to the Bancorp South Bank in Alto Wednesday afternoon. One of the suspects, armed with a handgun and carrying an empty bag, tried to enter the bank, but the doors were locked. It was just after 3:00 and the bank had just closed for the day. The suspects were later arrested on Highway 84 by Rusk police officers.
The attempted robbery came three weeks after the Alto Police Department was shut down because of a money crunch. The plan is to bring back the department in December.
