Two Forgery Suspects Arrested

TYLER — Two men are in custody in connection with a string of bank forgeries around the Tyler area. Detectives from both the Smith County Sheriff’s Office and the Tyler Police Department are working together on the case to determine how many banks and other businesses may have been affected. The identities of both men are being withheld as officers continue their investigation to determine if other persons might be involved.

It all started Wednesday afternoon when Lt. Gary Middleton of the Smith County Sheriff’s Office was driving by Citizen’s National Bank at the intersection of Highway 155 and Loop 323. He noticed someone come out of the bank chasing a man. Lt. Middleton stopped, assisted in the pursuit and arrested the man after it was discovered the man had attempted to pass a forged instrument. The suspect said another man was working with him and was scheduled to pick him up. Sheriff’s Office personnel and officers from the Tyler Police Department waited on the pickup. When the second man arrived, he fled and headed north on West Loop 323 for a short distance.

At times, the man drove on the wrong side of the road and hit at least two vehicles before he wrecked his vehicle on Robertson Road, which is located between Rudy’s BBQ and the TJC West Campus. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office, Tyler PD and DPS were all part of the pursuit. Smith County Deputy Jeff Hobson arrested the second man.