Did someone put a sign up advertising Meridian was giving away money in 2008?
"It was an unprecedented year for Meridian and the Meridian Police Department in terms of how many bank robberies occurred in the last 12 months," said MPD Chief Benny DuBose. "The number of bank robberies was up from years past but I don't attribute that to any one cause such as the economy. I think it was just one of those years."
Meridian suffered seven bank robberies in 2008.
The first two incidents occurred at the same bank location and reportedly by the same person. Glay Gary Walker, who was dubbed the "Billy Goat Bandit" by agents of the FBI, is said to have robbed the Citizen's National Express Bank location on North Hills Street in March and June. He was later arrested in Mobile, Ala. Walker reportedly confessed to at least 10 bank heists throughout the Southeast.
The month of July saw the heat turn up dramatically as three banks in four business days were hit by bandits.
On July 26 Great Southern National Bank at Bonita Lakes Circle was allegedly robbed followed two days later by the Commercial Bank branch on Hwy. 39 North. On July 29, Bank Plus on Hwy. 19 North was targeted by two Philadelphia men who were arrested later that day.
Another Great Southern National Bank location, this time on 22nd Avenue, was reportedly hit Sept. 25 by a bank robber who FBI agents called the "Rush Hour Robber." Stuart L. Vance was later caught in Indiana and is accused of at least two other bank heists.
The latest incident happened Dec. 19. The Citizen's National Bank location at North Hills Street and Hwy. 39 North was reportedly robbed by a man who is still at large.
Lt. James Sharpe, interim commander of the MPD's Investigative Division said three of the bank robbery cases are still active.
"We are still diligently working these cases trying to apprehend the suspects," said Sharpe, who has been with the MPD for 17 years. "This is the most bank robberies we've had since I've been here."
No bank employees were injured in any of the robberies.
Local News
Year-End 5: Meridian hit by rash of bank robberies
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High Honor
The flowers and balloons Crestwood Elementary School Principal Kimberly Kendrick received at school Monday were not an early Valentines' Day gift.
Kendrick has been named Meridian Public School District's 2012 Administrator of the Year – an announcement that both surprised and wowed the 17-year veteran educator when made by MPSD Superintendent Dr. Alvin Taylor. -
Master Dance Class
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Digital system promises better communication
Hopefully in the near future you won't hear someone in the emergency services ask over the radio, "Can you hear me now?"
A digital communications system, one which is being pushed by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC), is a few months away and, in some cases, is already in the testing phase in Lauderdale County. -
Inmate escapes custody
Mississippi Department of Corrections officials said Monday afternoon an inmate escaped from custody Friday and is still being sought.
Officials said Johnny Hall Jr. escaped from two Wilkinson County Correctional Facility officers’ custody while being escorted from his father’s wake at the Picayune Funeral Home in Picayune. Preliminary information indicates Hall left the officers and jumped into a waiting black vehicle with a white female driver. -
Citizen’s Police Academy begins today
The work law enforcement conducts on a daily basis is often misunderstood by the general public.
Officials at the Meridian Police Department developed a program to inform and educate citizens on what police do in serving and protecting the population. The program, The Citizen's Police Academy, has been gaining speed for a couple of years since it was first offered. Officials said it shows residents are interested in police work and how it is conducted. - Woman: decongestant brought meth charge in Alabama
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Star Of The Week: Dominique Goodwin-Jenkins
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SoMiSPO brings steel drum rhythms to MCC
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About face
Nothing is forever in the military and after a months-long battle to secure a C-27J Spartan flying mission and its field training unit at Key Field and the 186th Air Refueling Wing, it seems all of that is flying the way of the KC-135 tankers that used to fill the skies over Meridian.
- Marriages & Divorces: Sunday, February 5, 2012
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