U.S. Department of Justice

Federal Bureau of Investigation

100 W. Capitol Street
Suite 1553
Jackson, Mississippi 39269

Contact: Deborah Madden
(601) 948-5000

For Immediate Release
August 14, 2006

ALLEGED "DYING" BANK ROBBER ARRESTED!!

On Friday, August 11, 2006, as a result of intense media exposure given to the robbery of the Regions Bank, located at 801 Spring Street, Waynesboro, Mississippi, the Jones County, Mississippi Sheriff's Office developed information that led them to the identification of a suspect in this case. As a result, the FBI, the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI) and the Waynesboro Police Department (WPD) were alerted and began conducting investigation centering on the suspect, identified as NICHOLAS RYAN BRACKMAN , age 24, of Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

BRACKMAN was located and arrested on armed robbery charges, without incident, at his residence in Hattiesburg at approximately 11:30 p.m. on August 11 by investigating agents and officers from the FBI, MBI, WPD and the Lamar County, Mississippi Sheriff's Office Tactical Team and K-9 Unit. A search warrant executed on his residence and vehicle led to the seizure of a weapon, which is believed to have been used by BRACKMAN during the robbery of the Regions Bank.

BRACKMAN was transported to the Wayne County, Mississippi jail and is awaiting a bond hearing.

John G. Raucci, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Mississippi, praised the investigative efforts of all the agents and agencies involved in this case. "In addition," said Mr. Raucci, "thanks go to the media for publicizing this case and getting the bank photos before the public so tips could be received and followed. The public is a valuable asset to law enforcement in the identification of individuals whose photographs are captured during the commission of a crime, but who are otherwise unknown." Raucci stressed that the charges upon which the arrest of BRACKMAN are premised are accusations only and there is a presumption of innocence prior to any judicial proceeding.