TUPELO – Police said a man captured on a surveillance video during the robbery of a Tupelo bank has been positively identified and he is a suspect in bank robberies in at least three other states. Robert Thomas Shantz was identified as the man who allegedly held up the Trustmark Bank on West Main Street on July 7.
A clear image of 31-year old Shantz was captured on surveillance cameras as he allegedly pulled a gun on the teller and demanded cash. Shantz left the Tupelo bank with an undisclosed amount of money.
WTVA is reporting that Shantz’s last known address was in Georgia, and he may be behind at least four bank robberies in Georgia, Alabama and Arkansas where warrants have since been issued for his arrest.
Tupelo authorities are also working to connect Shantz to other robberies as well.
WTVA said that as far back as June 24, police in Warner Robins, Ga., said a man fitting Shantz’s description walked into Bank of America and handed the teller a note demanding money.
After he escaped, a surveillance photo helped police identify the man as Shantz.
Four days later, a man believed to be Shantz walked into the BB&T Bank in Oxford, Ala., and did the same thing.
On July 1, Arkansas authorities said Shantz allegedly robbed the Centennial Bank in Conway. An anonymous tip identified the suspect as Shantz.
Law enforcement agencies soon joined forces and began sharing information with other towns that had been robbed.
The next day, Shantz reportedly robbed a bank in Marion, Ark., and a week later, he was spotted on surveillance video at the Trustmark Bank in Tupelo.
Police said Shantz should not be approached if spotted as he is considered armed and very dangerous.
If you know Robert Thomas Shantz or where he may be hiding, you are asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-773-8477.
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