Bank robbery arrests

BENTON, AR – Two men are under arrest and police say more arrests are possible in a recent bank robbery. Police say the pair arrested are brothers.

Benton and Bryant Police Departments, worked together to apprehend a suspect in the recent bank robbery at First Security Bank. The suspect, Bruce Echols (W/M, 52 YOA), was arrested Saturday following information received from a citizen.

Bryant Police Department was following up on the case when they came into contact with another suspect on a traffic stop, 50 year old Terry Echols. Detectives with the Benton Police Department responded to the scene of the traffic stop and interviewed Terry Echols about the robbery. Detectives learned that his brother, Bruce Echols, was possibly involved in the bank robbery. Detectives made contact with Bruce Echols, and they say he confessed to robbing the First Security bank September 6, 2012.

Bruce Echols is charged with Aggravated Robbery, Theft of Property, Unauthorized Use of Another Person's Property to Facilitate a Crime, and for a previous warrant on a Terroristic Threatening charge. Terry Echols is charged with Theft by Receiving. Both subjects were transported to the Saline County Detention Facility for processing and are awaiting a bond hearing.

Detectives recovered a substantial amount of the stolen money and other evidence from the suspects. Other charges and arrests are possible as the investigation continues.

Anyone with additional information relating to this case is encouraged to contact the Benton Police Department at 778-1171 or leave a tip at 315-TIPS. Individuals also may send an anonymous crime tip to CRIMES (274637) with the keyword BNPD in the body of the text.