FAYETTEVILLE — A kidnapper attached a nonexplosive device to a woman’s leg in an attempt to drain money from her bank account, according to Washington County Sheriff Tim Helder.
Fayetteville patrol officers responded to Arvest Bank, 3045 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., at 10:29 a.m. Monday after a bank employee reported that a woman had walked in and explained she had a bomb attached to her ankle.
Bank employees evacuated the building, but 73-year-old Betty Davis remained outside the bank’s entrance as police arrived. Davis told authorities she had earlier been held captive at her home.
Within minutes, Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to Davis’ house at 15860 E. Black Oak Road, having been notified by
Fayetteville police of a possible home invasion. They found the woman’s husband, Herbert, bound to a chair with duct tape.
Police spent much of Monday searching for Herbert Davis’ silver Ford F150 pickup, reportedly taken by the man the couple said was responsible for incident. About 5:30 p.m., police recovered the truck at Greathouse Park at 1710 S. Price Ave. and searched it for additional evidence.
Kelly Cantrell, Washington County Sheriff’s Office spokesman, said the suspect was described as a white man of unknown age who wore blue jeans and an unknown colored shirt. She said the man also stole a 20-gauge shotgun from the Davis home.
Police Sgt. Craig Stout said investigators believe Betty Davis drove her four-door Mercury passenger car to the bank as the intruder followed in her husband’s truck. He reportedly attached a device to Davis’ ankle and told her it was a remote-controlled bomb.
Helder said he wanted the woman to cash one of her own checks for an unknown amount of money.
Additional details surrounding the bank robbery are being withheld pending further investigation.
Police said the Davis’ have been cooperative with investigators and aren’t believed to be involved with the crime.
No one had been arrested as of Tuesday afternoon. Those with any information can contact police at: 587-3555.