Arkansas Grandmother Says She Was Forced to Rob Bank
EmailA grandmother who entered a bank in Fayetteville, Ark., and said she had a bomb strapped to her ankle was forced into a robbery attempt by a man holding her and her husband hostage, she told police.
Betty Davis, 73, walked into the local Arvest Bank around 10:30 a.m. Monday and told employees she had an explosive device strapped around her ankle. The bank’s employees called 911 and safely evacuated the building while Davis remained inside.
Local authorities and officials with the Bentonville Bomb Squad arrived soon after and removed the device from Davis’ leg.
It was then that Davis told the cops her story, that she and her husband, Dean Davis, had been held hostage by a man in their home. The man, Davis said, restrained her husband, took a weapon from their home and then forced her to go to the bank also to withdraw funds, all while her husband remained tied up at home.
Sheriff’s officials traveled to the couple’s home where they found Dean Davis tied up, as his wife said, but unharmed. There was no sign of the alleged intruder, but the couple’s pickup truck was missing.
ABC local news affiliate 40/29tv reported Monday evening that sheriff’s deputies had found a matching truck abandoned in a nearby park.
Police are now canvassing the neighborhood for any signs of the suspect.
Authorities are now also testing the bomb, for which the man told the couple he had a detonator, to see if it was really active when strapped to Davis.
Authorities say the couple are not being treated as suspects, have been cooperative in the investigation and did not show any signs of deception in telling police their story. “The evidence we have supports the witness statements so far,” Washington County sheriff’s Lt. Emily Augustine said.
Dean and Betty Davis are described by relatives as being in good spirits, while their family remains worried the intruder might return.
“I don’t feel like they’re safe because he could come back and everything,” the couple’s grandson, Billy Davis, told 40/29tv. “And you don’t know what he’s going to do.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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This is such an important story! Where’s the story on White House Halloweengate? Jay when what you say is intended to mislead, deceive or obfuscate – that is lying! The White House and DOJ are so adept at this. When are the sheep going to realize this?
Posted by: deanbob | January 10, 2012, 11:59 am 11:59 am
This is ABCNews, Deanbob. You might have noticed that this site carries more human interest stories than other news outlets. ABCNews has done this for years. Their reporting is not as hard-edged as other places. If you don’t like what you see here, then you can try those other places.
Posted by: Shannon | January 10, 2012, 1:42 pm 1:42 pm
You mean she left home to the bank unaccompanied and with a bomb tied to her ankle, and yet, did not stop to call 911 or get some kind of help on the way? Miraculously, the suspects left without waiting for her to return with the money? Maybe she changed her mind about the robbery after she got to the bank. You never know, some of these seniors can pull some stunt.
Posted by: NoFlyZone2 | January 10, 2012, 1:47 pm 1:47 pm
I love the ABCNews website, Noflyzone2. I was pointing out to Deanbob that he didn’t have to be here if he was looking for some hard-hitting journalism that uncovered a whole host of voodoo politics. Try a bit of reading comprehension before spouting off next time? :)
Posted by: Shannon | January 10, 2012, 2:02 pm 2:02 pm
There have been several of this type story in the past, and they’re not always what they appear to be. If I remember correctly, in at least two of them, the alleged victim (the one with the explosives strapped to them) was really one of the planners and perpetrators of the crime and was not doing it involuntarily but just wanted to make it appear that way. Not saying that’s the case here. Would be interesting to know if anyone outside the couple saw an intruder at the home or driving the Davis’ vehicle. If the vehicle was found nearby, it is possible Mr. Davis ditched his own car then went home and staged the scene.
Posted by: Minorkey1 | January 10, 2012, 2:09 pm 2:09 pm