Panola County deputies were commended for their instrumental role in apprehending suspects tied to a violent ATM robbery in O'Fallon, Missouri, involving the theft of $94,000. Their quick action, thorough investigation, and collaboration with O’Fallon police have been credited with solving not just the initial robbery but numerous related crimes across the South and Midwest.
The Robbery
On August 10, 2024, at approximately 11:30 PM, O’Fallon police responded to a robbery at the Bank of America on Fallon Parkway. Three masked men ambushed an ATM repairman, assaulting him and threatening his life to force him to hand over cash cassettes loaded with $94,000.
The suspects fled in an unidentified vehicle, leaving investigators with no leads beyond vague descriptions of the car and the suspects' attire—hoodies and masks.
The Investigation
O’Fallon detectives turned to FLOCK camera technology, identifying a rental vehicle following the repairman earlier that night. Tracing the car to a Texas rental agency, they tracked its location and reached out to law enforcement agencies across Texas.
By August 12, Panola County deputies located the vehicle on Highway 59 North. Deputy McBrayer, Sergeant Gillie, and Investigator Gray stopped the rental vehicle and detained its occupants. The vehicle was seized, and the deputies immediately began gathering evidence, including a cell phone and blood stains inside the car, and identified the driver as the fourth suspect in the robbery.
Commendation from O'Fallon Police
In a letter to Panola County Chief David Gray, O’Fallon Police Chief Frank Mininni detailed the importance of Panola County's efforts. “While most agencies would have stopped at the traffic stop, your deputies and detectives went beyond in completing interviews, drafting a search warrant, and seizing two key pieces of evidence,” Chief Mininni wrote. Detective Chadd Gray personally delivered the evidence to O’Fallon investigators attending training in Dallas, further aiding the case.
The evidence collected was pivotal in identifying and arresting the three other suspects. The group is also believed to be behind a string of ATM robberies across the South and Midwest, making their apprehension significant for numerous investigations.
Sheriff Clinton Commends Deputies
Sheriff Cutter Clinton praised his team’s vigilance and dedication. “Highways 59, 79, 149, and 315 are heavily traveled roadways, and our personnel have to remain vigilant for whatever they may encounter while patrolling our county,” he said. Clinton highlighted the thoroughness of his deputies’ work, which went beyond standard protocols to ensure critical evidence was collected and preserved.
