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Taylorsville man arrested in Bethlehem bank robbery

Compiled by Richard Gould

Record Staff Writer

Published: May 8, 2009

BETHLEHEM - Issue: James Allen Salmons, 44, of Taylorsville, was arrested Wednesday and charged with robbing the First Citizens Bank in Bethlehem.

Background: Authorities claim Salmons robbed the same bank Jan. 27 and attempted to rob it April 29, but was foiled when bank employees locked the doors and he was unable to make entry.

The bank's surveillance footage shows a man wearing a mask made from a sweat pants leg and brandishing a black handgun that turned out to be a plastic toy.

After the robbery the suspect got into his van and the dye pack exploded inside the vehicle.

A resident who saw the robber exit the bank followed him as he made his getaway, but lost sight of him on Davis Cove Road.

Alexander County sheriff's deputies set up a perimeter around the area where the subject was last seen and a phoned-in tip led detectives to Salmons' home on Teague Town Road.

Salmons' van matched the description of the getaway vehicle and contained residue in it from the reddish-orange dye pack that had exploded inside, said Chief Deputy Chris Bowman of the Alexander County Sheriff's Office.

He was charged with two counts of armed robbery and held on a $500,000 secured bond.

What's new: Salmons had his first court appearance Thursday. Defense attorney Joel Harbinson was assigned to the case, and Salmons' bond amount was not altered.

What's next: Salmons' next court appearance is scheduled for Monday.