Bank robbery suspect is nabbed

Fayetteville police on Jan. 15 apprehended a bank robbery suspect moments after he fled the Bank of America office on Ga. Highway 314. The suspect fled the bank empty-handed after the alarm was triggered.

Varion M. Gomez, 31, of Jonesboro, is being charged with armed robbery and driving on a suspended license, according to Fayetteville Police Department spokesman Mike Whitlow.

Whitlow said the robbery occurred on Friday at approximately 10:27 a.m. when a black male walked into the Bank of America located on Hwy. 314 and produced a note demanding money or he would “start shooting.”

“The teller was able to activate the panic alarm and the suspect fled the bank without any money,” said Whitlow. “Bank employees were able to provide a description of the suspect’s vehicle and he was located by a Fayetteville Patrol captain at approximately 10:32 a.m. in a nearby neighborhood where he had attempted to change his clothing.”

Gomez was taken into custody without incident, said Whitlow, adding that detectives located the note and the clothing Gomez had originally been wearing during the robbery.