BEAUMONT —
A man suspected in the robbery of two Beaumont banks was apprehended outside Parkdale Mall on Wednesday.
The “tall, dark, handsome” robber is facing federal bank robbery charges for the Beaumont incidents and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Houston is in the process of obtaining a warrant for a Houston bank robbery.
The suspect has been identified as John “Steven” Stark, 46.
Police responded to a call of a robbery about 9:15 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8 at Prosperity Bank, 6150 Eastex Freeway in Beaumont.
Beaumont Police Department Sgt. Rob Flores Jr. said the suspect walked into the bank and gave the clerk a note demanding money and the clerk complied. After the man left, the clerk followed him, secured the door and was able to get license plate information.
As detectives were busy checking the area they found the suspect vehicle in the parking lot, and, with the assistance of several other departments and agencies, covered all exits at Parkdale Mall while working a “low key” search.
The suspect was seen at the front of the mall entrance.
“He had changed clothes and was getting into a Yellow Cab on mall property,” Flores said. “He was taken into custody without incident.”
Police believe the Stark is also a suspect in the Jan. 30 robbery of the Bank of America. It is believed he has connections to Beaumont and Liberty County.
The suspect was charged with Wednesday’s robbery and an outstanding warrant for the Jan. 30 robbery. Stark has been turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshal’s Office and Houston FBI will likely seek charges against him for the Feb. 2 robbery of a Houston bank.
The man shown in surveillance video and photos had a calm appearance, something noted by law enforcement.
“He had that same demeanor throughout it all,” he said of the alleged crimes and subsequent arrest. “He was very calm. He went in very quick and out. He didn’t threaten anybody, per se.”
All in all Stark is facing three federal counts of bank robbery.
Local News
Related Photos
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Surveillance photo taken from the Jan. 30 robbery of Bank of America in Beaumont. Beaumont Police arrested John "Steven" Stark, 46, in connection with Wednesday's robbery of Prosperity Bank, 6150 Eastex Freeway in Beaumont outside Parkdale Mall. Courtesy Photo
Discussion
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