Man Wearing an Ankle Monitor Robs a Lufkin Bank, Chase Ensues

Wednesday afternoon, Lufkin Police arrested Robert Harris, 47, of Center, following a bank robbery and chase. Harris was taken into custody at 1:46 p.m. on U.S. Highway 69 South.

According to a report from the Communications Division of the Lufkin Police Department, the incident began at 1:10 p.m. when Harris entered Cadence Bank on Brentwood Drive, located near Academy Sports and Outdoors, and handed a teller a note demanding money.

After receiving an undisclosed amount of cash, he fled on foot across Whitehouse Drive to the Belk Department Store parking lot, where he left in an older-model green Toyota Tacoma, according to a witness. 

At 1:27 p.m., officers spotted Harris's vehicle on Casey Road and initiated a pursuit that continued through the Fuller Springs area and onto U.S. Highway 69 South. The pursuit, reaching speeds up to 70 mph, ended near Garrison Drive after a Lufkin Police officer performed a PIT maneuver, stopping Harris's vehicle.

Harris was arrested without further incident. The stolen money was recovered. Officers noted that Harris was wearing an ankle monitor at the time of his arrest.

Lufkin Police would like to thank the Angelina County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in the incident.