Hot Springs police, based on "numerous tips" generated by circulating photographs of an alleged bank robber on Friday, arrested a 46-year-old local man Saturday on an aggravated robbery warrant only a few blocks from the scene of the crime.
Shawn Sarver, who lists a Southgate address, was arrested at the intersection of Albert Pike Road and McClard Street at around 3:30 p.m. Saturday and charged with aggravated robbery, a felony punishable by up to life in prison, Hot Springs police said Sunday in a news release.
Sarver was in custody Sunday at the Garland County Detention Center on a $100,000 bond.
The robbery was reported at around 3 p.m. Friday, after a white male, wearing a long-sleeved, yellow plaid shirt had entered the bank and approached a teller. The suspect handed the teller a note, demanding money, and the teller placed an undisclosed amount of money on the counter. The suspect took the money and fled the bank on foot, according to the release. No injuries were reported.
Police set up a perimeter around the area of the bank. Cpl Brandon Jones and his K-9, Keena, tried to pick up a track, but the suspect was not located.
Photographs obtained from bank surveillance cameras were distributed to the media and the public, the release said, and the police department received "numerous tips" identifying the suspect as Sarver.
"HSPD detectives were able to positively identify the bank robbery suspect as that of Shawn Sarver. A warrant for Shawn Sarver's arrest was issued for aggravated robbery," the release said.
At 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Hot Springs police Officer Ben Riley observed Sarver at the intersection of Albert Pike and McClard Street, about three blocks east of the bank. Riley arrested Sarver without incident, the release said.
Local on 05/28/2018