A Hot Springs man who allegedly robbed a local bank Wednesday afternoon was arrested by Hot Springs police less than 30 minutes after the robbery occurred.
Henry Tonjie Smith, 66, who lists a Rector Street address, was taken into custody shortly after 3 p.m. and charged with felony counts of aggravated robbery, punishable by up to life in prison, and theft of property more than $1,000, punishable by up to six years.
Smith appeared via video in Garland County District Court Thursday morning and pleaded not guilty to both charges. A felony review hearing is set for Dec. 18 to determine if the case will be bound over to Garland County Circuit Court. Smith remained in custody Thursday in lieu of $100,000 bond.
According to the affidavit, at around 2:45 p.m. Wednesday, police Detective Mark Fallis responded to Citizens Bank, 150 Airport Road, in reference to a robbery that had just occurred and made contact with two employees who stated an unknown black male, wearing a black ball cap, sunglasses, a ski mask and blue shirt had walked into the bank.
One employee told him he would have to remove his hat and glasses, but instead he walked up to the other employee and put a small black drawstring bag on the counter in front of her and told her to put money in it. He also reportedly told her he had a gun and she needed to hurry.
The employee put an undisclosed amount of cash in the bag and the man fled on foot, last seen walking toward Walmart, 1601 Albert Pike.
Other officers were in the area and located a man matching the description, identified as Smith, behind the buildings at Hot Springs Plaza, 1609 Albert Pike, and took him into custody without incident. It was noted officers found the stolen cash and other items on Smith at the time of his arrest.
Smith was brought to the police department for questioning and after being read his rights, he allegedly admitted to robbing the bank.
Local on 11/10/2017