Fayetteville police and investigators surround an Arvest Bank branch at 3045 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. after an apparent robbery attempt Monday morning.
Todd Gill, Fayetteville Flyer
Update: Thursday, Jan. 12
Washington County Sheriff Tim Helder today announced the arrest of Paul Lewis Bradley, 60, in connection with the incident.
Bradley faces charges of aggravated burglary, theft of property, aggravated robbery, kidnapping, felon in possession of a firearm and terroristic act.
Update: Tuesday, Jan. 9
According to a news release issued by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the device attached to Mrs. Davis’ ankle was nonexplosive.
Also, authorities say the suspect did not ask Davis to rob the bank, but rather attempted to force her into withdrawing money.
Description of the suspect:
The suspect is a W/M, approximately 6’0” tall, medium to large build, unknown age, wearing a Carhartt type, brownish-orange jacket (unknown if it had a hood), and blue jeans. Suspect also had a dark colored ski mask over his face.
Police located the missing pickup truck at Greathouse Park at 1710 S. Price Ave. in Fayetteville and are asking anyone who was in the area Monday between the hours of 10:40 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. to contact authorities at 587-3555.
UPDATE: 4:25 p.m. Monday, Jan. 9
Police are looking for at least one suspect, possibly driving a stolen vehicle, who they believe may have kidnapped a local couple and then forced the wife to attempt a bank robbery by attaching a device to her ankle that resembled a bomb.
When officers arrived at Arvest Bank, 3045 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., the alleged victim, Betty Davis, age 73, was in the building and the device was still secured to her leg.
Members of the Bentonville Bomb Squad were called to remove the device before officers took Davis in for questioning.
Davis told police that she and her husband had been held hostage at their residence at 15860 Black Oak Road, and that the suspect forced her to attempt to rob the bank.
Washington County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the Davis residence and found Davis’ husband tied up, but uninjured. Their vehicle, a silver 2011 Ford F-150 pick-up truck, license No. 291JHZ, was missing.
Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact the Fayetteville Police Department at 479-587-3555.
ORIGINAL POST: 12:26 p.m. Monday, Jan. 9
Details are limited, but multiple reports indicate a robbery attempt occurred Monday morning at the Arvest Bank branch at 3045 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Fayetteville.
According to reports, a woman walked into the bank claiming she had been kidnapped and that a bomb had been attached to her leg.
By noon, multiple police and emergency response crews had surrounded the building and officers were placing crime scene tape around the parking lot.
The Bentonville bomb squad was also on the scene, but was preparing to leave.
Police had reportedly already pulled the woman aside for questioning and removed the device from her leg.
The bank is located near I-540 at the corner of MLK and Finger Road between Walmart and Lowe’s.
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