FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The United Bank on Joyce Boulevard in Fayetteville was robbed on Monday, June 17, according to the Fayetteville Police Department (FPD).
FPD stated in a Facebook post that just after 10 a.m., police were called about a man "presenting a suspicious item on the counter that he said was an explosive device, before demanding money and fleeing on foot."
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The suspected robber was described as a tan-skinned man with a tattoo on his left hand, wearing an orange hoodie, sunglasses, and a yellow surgical mask.
The Bentonville Bomb Squad was called out to the scene, but FPD later confirmed the area was safe. It was also confirmed that the robber had fled with an unknown amount of money.
A preliminary report released on June 19 said that when officials arrived, the bank employees were at a nearby business. The employees said the suspect had gone into the bank alone, told them he "had an earpiece," and said the "bomb would detonate if police were called."
Investigators found a surveillance video showing the suspect changing clothes "in the treeline near the bank." According to officials, he changed into a gray shirt, black pants and black shoes and left on a bike. The release states the suspect then got on a public transit bus.
The release said an investigator was on the bus and made contact with him, identifying him as 52-year-old Scott Walker of Springdale. At this time, the investigator was not aware of the updated description. After looking into it, officials found that Walker was a registered sex offender with an active search waiver on file, so they went to his home on Brunswick Street.
Officials said investigators entered the home searching for Walker but did not find him. However, they did find items related to the crime after completing a subsequent warrant. The release said investigators found materials used to make the fake bomb and clothing that matched the descriptions.
On Tuesday, June 18, Springdale police found Walker with a black bag like the one seen in the surveillance video, with a "large sum of money." Walker was taken to the police department, where he admitted to the crime and discussed details only known to investigators, according to the release.
The release states Walker was then arrested and is facing charges of aggravated robbery, theft of property, and threatening to cause a catastrophe. He is now at the Washington County Detention Center.
Sergeant Muak said the police department received assistance from state police and the FBI.
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Suspect photo:
The following video was taken by a 5NEWS employee at the alleged United Bank robbery:
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