14-Year-Old Arrested for Bank Robbery Inside Walmart, Then Buying Gun with Stolen Cash
Pascagoula, MS
Local authorities say a 14-year-old from Gautier is accused of robbing a bank on Saturday afternoon and using the stolen cash to purchase a gun.
According to the Pascagoula Police Department, the 14-year-old, who is not being identified due to his status as a minor, walked into the Woodforest Bank located inside the Walmart store on Highway 90 in Pascagoula. After the teenager passed a note to a teller demanding cash, police say the teen fled the building with the stolen funds given to him by the teller.
Surveillance photos released online provided tips that led police to arrest the 14-year-old suspect, seen in the images as a black male wearing a Yankee hat and glasses. Investigators say the suspect exited the bank and left in a vehicle driven by a 16-year-old student, who was also arrested.
The investigation also revealed that the 14-year-old used the stolen bank money to purchase a handgun. Both the stolen funds and the gun were recovered, police said.
The Pascagoula Police Department was assisted by the Gautier Police Department, the Pascagoula School District Campus Police, and the FBI.
“The public’s response to our posts is what closed the case so quickly,” said the Pascagoula Police Department in a statement. “The support was overwhelming and is a true testament to teamwork between the community and their police department.”
Police say the alleged 14-year-old robber and 16-year-old driver are residents of Gautier. They were arrested Monday afternoon and turned over to the Jackson County Youth Court.