Two suspects have been arrested following a bank robbery and chase starting on Statesville Boulevard and ending just outside Spencer.
Salisbury Police got a call about a robbery at the Bank of America branch located at 200 Statesville Blvd. at about 10:42 a.m yesterday.
Both suspects were armed with handguns which they pointed at bank employees. One suspect jumped the counter and demanded cash. The two then left the bank with an undisclosed amount of cash.
While enroute to the scene, police learned that the suspects had been handed a tracking device during the robbery, which was relaying their route to officers. Some officers secure the bank and checked on employees while others followed the suspects.
Police detectives in an unmarked vehicle caught up with the suspects on Seventh Street Extention on the outskirts of Spencer, driving a minivan. When police tried to stop the van, the driver sped up and crashed into a tree on Yadkin Avenue at 11th Street. Following the crash, both fled on foot and one of the two was captured almost immediately. The second suspect kept running, but was hit with a Taser and taken into custody in a wooded area just blocks from the point of the crash.
Suspects arrested in this case are:
• John Davis, black male, 57, resident of Connecticut.
•Jeffery Wayne Clawson, black male, 44, resident of Greensboro.
Clawson has been placed in the Rowan County Detention Center under a $500,000 secured bond with a first court appearance on Friday.
Davis was transported to the hospital for evaluation after complaining of stomach pain during the booking process. Davis’ conditions of release have not yet been determined due to his medical situation, but will be completed after release from the hospital.
As is standard in bank robberies, the Federal Bureau of Investigation will assist in the case.
In a press release from Salisbury Police Chief Rory Collins, he wrote, “The quick resolution of this incident came about due to several factors. Technological advancements used by banks allowed our officers to track the suspects following the robbery. This was extremely helpful to us, as the likelihood of such a quick capture would have been significantly less without it.
“Other factors include exceptional communications from our dispatch center to our troops as well as great teamwork by those officers who responded to help with the perimeter and capture of the suspects. With this incident leading us from the bank into the county and then into the town of Spencer, we received assistance from the Rowan County Sheriff’s Department, the Spencer Police Department, the East Spencer Police Department, as well as Rowan Communications who coordinated the locations of those other involved agencies.
“Each of the law enforcement agencies throughout Rowan County work very well together and are always there to assist one another when the need presents itself. I am very grateful to each of them for helping us get these two guys off of our streets,” Collins wrote.
Collins went on to warn citizens to be careful during the holiday season, which typically sees an increase in robbery, burglary and theft.
“Though there are many safety-related tips that can aid with this, a couple of highlights are to: Keep a light on, or possibly on a timer, at the house when not at home, try not to go to malls and/or stores alone, and remain constantly aware of your surroundings. I further suggest that citizens, as well as merchants, not hesitate to call the police if they see anyone acting suspicious. Even though we may determine that there is no problem, I would much rather receive the call to check.
“Though we cannot prevent all of this type of activity, with the practice of common sense and help from the community, we can certainly prevent some.”