Published: March 20, 2009 09:15 am      

Robbery attempt fails

Spooked suspect flees before ever entering area bank

A 27-year-old Corsicana man is in custody after an unsuccessful attempt to rob the First State Bank of Brownsboro in Murchison Thursday morning.

Leocadio Melendez was booked into the Henderson County Jail where he awaited arraignment Thursday afternoon on the attempted robbery charge. Melendez was also wanted for outstanding warrants from Athens Municipal Court for speeding and driving with an invalid license.

Henderson County Sheriff Ray Nutt said Melendez’s robbery attempt ran into trouble as soon as he approached the front door. Customers and employees inside the bank reportedly saw Melendez, wearing a black ski mask, and became alarmed.

“They were sure he was going to rob the bank,” Nutt said.

Ray Smith, who owns a business across State Highway 31 from the bank, said he got a look at the would-be robber.

“I was in the bank making a deposit,” Smith said. “We turned and saw him and yelled ‘robber.’”

Nutt said Melendez “got spooked” by the reaction of the people inside the bank and aborted his robbery attempt. He fled to his mini-van, parked at a car wash across State Highway 31, and then drove away.

Moments later, sheriff’s department dispatch received a 9-1-1 call reporting the attempted robbery and describing the mini-van. Deputies Tracy Dunnington, Craig Parker and Investigator Wick Gabbard responded to the call, along with numerous officers from other agencies.

Witnesses said Melendez turned left on Farm-to-Market Road 773, then left again on Farm-to-Market Road 1616, heading toward Athens. Finally, as law officers combed the area, Melendez exited on County Road 3715.

“Athens Police spotted him and made the stop,” Nutt said.

APD Officer Chad Walker stopped the van and detained Melendez. Officers from the sheriff’s department, APD and Texas Department of Public Safety searched the area and located evidence authorities believe links Melendez to the robbery attempt.

Gabbard said Melendez gave a statement following his arrest, in which he admitted that he had intended to rob the bank. The suspect did not display a weapon at the bank and did not have one in his possession when he was apprehended. Melendez apparently acted alone in the hold-up attempt and the escape, Gabbard said.

Nutt said cooperation of area law enforcement agencies resulted in the quick arrest.

Review Staff Writer Lauren Ricks contributed to this report.