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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

An armed robbery at River Bank & Trust in Clanton ended with the suspect being arrested after a short pursuit by local law enforcement on Oct. 23. The suspect, 32-year-old Michael Jimenez of Birmingham, robbed the bank at gunpoint at around 9:20 a.m. before fleeing the business in a white Dodge Charger. The robbery happened at the south branch of River Bank & Trust in Clanton at 2040 Seventh St. S.

Officers responded to the scene of the crime and began canvassing the area for the vehicle. Shortly after, a vehicle matching the description was spotted near Exit 212 of Interstate 65. Law enforcement from the Clanton Police Department, Chiton County Sheriff’s Office and Alabama Law Enforcement Agency responded to the area and attempted to perform a felony traffic stop on the vehicle. Jimenez refused to stop, and law enforcement used their cruisers to stop the vehicle and prevent the suspect’s escape. Jimenez was armed with a handgun during the arrest, but was taken into custody by officers quickly after being stopped.

“The swift and accurate action of the bank employees enabled the rapid apprehension of the suspect,” Clanton Police Department said in a Facebook post about the incident. “We are also thankful for the response of our fellow area law enforcement who assisted in the apprehension of the suspect.”

Jimenez has been placed in the Chilton County Jail under multiple charges, including Robbery 1st, Attempting to Elude and Resisting Arrest.