High bails set for suspects in separate Little Rock bank robberies

First Security Bank robbery suspect arrested overnight

Surveillance released by the Little Rock Police Department shows a purported robbery at a U.S. Bank on the left and a purported robbery at a First Security Bank on the right.
Surveillance released by the Little Rock Police Department shows a purported robbery at a U.S. Bank on the left and a purported robbery at a First Security Bank on the right.

A judge on Wednesday set high bails for three men each charged in one of two bank robberies committed just hours apart Tuesday in Little Rock.

Jahmal Wallace, 37, was arrested overnight in the unarmed holdup of First Security Bank at 10 Bass Pro Drive. Derrick Galvin, 20, and Myron Thompson, 22, meanwhile, are accused in the armed robbery of the U.S. Bank at 6320 W. Markham St.

All three suspects on Wednesday made initial appearances by video before Little Rock District Judge Alice Lightle. She entered innocent pleas for each, set bail for Wallace at $100,000 and bail for Galvin and Thompson at $350,000 each. Lightle also ordered Galvin and Thompson to wear ankle monitors if they are released.

Wallace was arrested early Wednesday morning at 1864 Ringo St. after SWAT officers stormed the residence and took him into custody.

Officers went to the home after receiving information that Wallace was a suspect and was there, but he would not answer the door, Lt. Sidney Allen said in an email. Police worked for "multiple hours" to get him to emerge, but the SWAT team ultimately made entry about 2 a.m.

Wallace is accused of walking in to the bank, handing a teller a note demanding money and fleeing in a black pickup.

That robbery came about three hours after the holdup at U.S. Bank.

According to a police report, Galvin was armed with a handgun when he and Thompson entered the bank before 9:30 a.m. and Galvin tossed a bag toward a teller, climbed on top of the counter and demanded cash.

Authorities arrested Galvin and Thompson about 20 minutes after the robbery. Prosecutors said during the brief court appearance Wednesday that admitted his involvement in questioning after his arrest.

No one has been arrested in the robbery Monday of the Iberia Bank branch at 4900 W. Markham St. Police say none of the three holdups appear to be related.

photo

Jahmal Wallace

Upcoming Events