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
March 17, 2006

BANK ROBBERY ARRESTS

John G. Raucci, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Mississippi; Colonel Michael Berthay, Director of the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol (MHSP); Lt. Colonel David Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation; and Itawamba County Sheriff Phillip K. Crane announced as follows:

At approximately 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 14, 2006, the Renasant Bank, located at 63471 Highway 25 North in Smithville, Mississippi, was robbed by three unknown black males. Two of the men went into the bank, one displaying a handgun. One of the tellers was forced into the vault and an undetermined amount of cash was taken. The two men were seen driving away from the bank, in a northward direction on Highway 25, in gold Pontiac GrandAm, which was later discovered abandoned in a swampy area near the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway. A witness saw one black male exit the vehicle with a bag in his hand and flee into the swamp. Law enforcement officers and K-9 units on scene were utilized to track the robber and investigation continued throughout the night. Assisting in the investigation were the Smithville Police Department, the Fulton Police Department, the Monroe County, Lee County and Itawamba County Sheriffs' Departments; MHSP; MBI; the Mississippi National Guard; and the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.

At approximately 5:30 a.m. on the morning of March 15, 2006, the three subjects were discovered in Ozark, Mississippi, at which time, they took two hostages in a residence. The hostages, who were approximately 65 and 87 years of age, were released unharmed at 9:18 a.m. and 9:45 a.m., respectively, but the subjects remained barricaded in the house. SWAT teams from the FBI, and Tupelo Police Department responded, together with officers from the MHSP, MBI, Itawamba County Sheriff's Office and support provided by the Mississippi National Guard. At approximately 12:50 p.m., the three subjects surrendered to law enforcement personnel without incident. They have been charged by Itawamba County with two counts of kidnaping and are currently in the custody of the Itawamba Sheriff. It is anticipated that state charges of armed robbery will be filed against them on Thursday, March 16, and that federal charges of armed bank robbery will be filed against them in the near future.

The three subjects have been identified as JAMES B. PERSON, age 31; JOE S. PRUITT, age 23; and ALONZO L. JONES, age 23; all of Memphis, Tennessee.

Mr. Raucci emphasized it was due to the cooperation of all the local, state and federal agencies that this incident was brought to a successful conclusion without injury to anyone involved. "The teamwork exhibited by all of the law enforcement officers and supporting personnel in this case is indicative of the excellent rapport that has been developed, and proves that we are all single minded in our goal to see that persons suspected of committing criminal acts are captured and brought to justice."

Mr. Raucci stressed that the charges upon which the arrests of PERSON, PRUITT and JONES are premised are accusations only and there is a presumption of innocence prior to any judicial proceeding.