Mesquite Police Officers were dispatched to a hold up alarm at the Nevada Bank and Trust located at 599 W. Mesquite Boulevard Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at approximately 11:38 am.
Officers were told that the suspect entered the bank and told employees that he had a gun and a bomb however; he did not brandish any weapons. The suspect was described as a white male wearing a fake mustache, blue eyes, approximately 5’6” tall, wearing a faded green jacket and a pink baseball cap. Bank employees said the robber left the bank with $2800.00 cash and was last seen running towards the Mesquite Bluffs Apartments.
Officers arrived in the area and were told by a witness that the suspect was seen getting into a white Dodge Charger or Cadillac sedan that was parked in the Mesquite Bluffs parking lot. The witness also stated that the car exited onto Grapevine Road and proceeded north towards Pioneer Boulevard.
Mesquite Police Dispatchers quickly sent out an all points bulletin to all surrounding law enforcement agencies in an attempt to apprehend the suspect. Shortly thereafter an Arizona Department of Public Safety Officer observed a vehicle fitting the description heading north bound on I-15 at approximately mile marker 11. After following the vehicle for some distance the officer pulled the vehicle over at approximately mile marker 20.
As the officer attempted to make contact with the driver of the vehicle, the driver placed a handgun to the side of his head and shot himself. The DPS officer nor was his cover officer injured. The driver was pronounced dead on scene by Beaver Dam Fire and Rescue.
Mesquite Officers arrived on scene and confirmed by the use bank surveillance photos that the driver was in fact the same individual that had robbed the bank.
The suspects name is not being released at this time pending notification of family.
“It’s very tragic that this event ended in death,” said Chief Troy Tanner. “We are however, thankful for the working relationship we have with our neighboring agencies to help keep our community safe.”
