Bank Robbery Suspect Arrested After North Austin Heist

AUSTIN, TX — A bank robbery suspect was placed under arrest after an hours-long search on Thursday following the North Austin heist, officials revealed on Friday.

The Travis County Sheriff's Office received multiple emergency calls on Thursday at around 1:15 p.m. related to a bank robbery in a Chase Bank branch at FM 620 and Quinlan Park Road. Witnesses reported a man had walked into a bank, pulled out a gun and demanded money before fleeing into a heavily wooded area behind the shopping center where the bank branch is located, the sheriff's office said in a press advisory.

Deputies were able to arrive at the scene within two minutes, officials said, but were unable to immediately locate the suspect. A perimeter was set up along the site where the man fled and police canines along with drone units were secured to help in the search, according to the sheriff's office. As an added precaution, nearby schools were notified of the search and deputies were stationed on campuses. After classes, officers followed school buses to ensure students' safety, the sheriff's office said.

After nearly four hours of searching for the suspect, officials said, search efforts were scaled down. However, deputies connected with the sheriff's office Special Response Team remained in the area in case the suspect emerged, officials said.

Just before 8 p.m., a tip came in centered on a nearby business on Quinlan Park Road. Deputies went to the scene where they encountered the suspect before placing him under arrest. He has been identified as Richard Graham, 49, of Austin. The sheriff's office said the man has since been charged with aggravated robbery, a first-degree felony.

In their press advisory, the Travis County Sheriff's Office publicly thanked other agencies that assisted in the search, including the Travis County Parks Police, Lakeway Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Parks and Wildlife and LCRA (Lower Colorado River Authority) Rangers. Moreover, the sheriff's office thanked the FBI for its assistance in the investigation.