Police Make 2 Arrests In Series Of Austin Bank Robberies

AUSTIN, TEXAS — Police on Wednesday said they made two arrests related to a string of recent bank robberies — including the capture of a suspected bandit distinguished by his "red, swollen hands" used as part of his description as he was being sought.

Police officer Destiny Silva briefed reporters on Wednesday afternoon, alerting to the arrests of two suspects — Adam Grant Robinson, 38, and Jessica Lynn Rutherford, 26.The two are now in custody in connection to a trio of recent bank heists:

• The holdup of a Wells Fargo Bank branch at 8045 Mesa Dr. on Friday, Nov. 30, just past the noon hour. Police said a man passed a note to the teller in demanding money before fleeing on foot.
• The following day, also in North Austin, another Wells Fargo Bank branch at 3216 W. Braker Lane was hit at around 11:35 a.m. Police described the same modus operandi — a note handed to a teller demanding money. The suspect left in a white SUV after that incident.
• Yet a third bank robbery occurred on Monday, Dec. 4, at a Compass Bank branch located on 10711 Burnet Rd. just after 2 p.m.

In all three of the cases, police had the same description of the white man with he red and swollen hands. In the first and third robberies, the suspect was said to have fled on foot while leaving in a white SUV in the second heist in leaving with undisclosed amounts of cash, Silva noted.

Related story: Suspect In North Austin Bank Robberies Sought By Police

The officer said police scoured the areas in search of surveillance camera footage that could assist their investigation, yielding fruit with secured footage showing a white SUV. The vehicle was later tracked to a nearby hotel room that was unoccupied at the time of their arrival to investigate.

They were, however, able to find Rutherford whom Silva described as an accomplice. Silva said the woman confessed to police she had been involved in all three robberies as well, although the officer didn't specify the degree of that involvement. Robinson was later arrested as he traveled north on Interstate 35, the officer noted. Silva said the suspect was booked into the Bell County jail.

"Due to good police work and just efforts in canvassing the area, and working really hard to solve this case, the robbery unit and the violent crimes task force were able to make these two arrests," Silva said.

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>>> Image of bank robbery suspect now identified as Adam Grant Robinson and Jessica Lynn Rutherford booking photo provided by Austin Police Department