More charges added against alleged bank robbers

Published 12:00 am Monday, October 10, 2016

LaGRANGE — Additional charges were filed by the Hogansville Police Department on Monday against two men accused of robbing the Community Bank and Trust at 2092 West Point Road.

Marcus Ward, of Atlanta, and William Everette, of Louisville, Ky., remain behind bars in the Troup County Jail.

The men now each face one count of armed robbery for allegedly robbing the Commercial Bank and Trust at 410 E. Main St. on Oct. 3, said Hogansville Police Chief Brian Harr.

The two will also face more felony charges from HPD, Harr added.

Detectives from both the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation drove down to LaGrange shortly after Ward and Everette were arrested, said LaGrange Police Lt. Dale Strickland.

Investigators with the Atlanta Police Department, Hapeville Police Department and the Newnan Police Department are also looking at the two suspects for robberies that occurred in their jurisdictions, Strickland added.

It was not clear as of press time on Monday if those other law enforcement agencies also pressed charges against the two men.

Ward and Everette were arrested by Hogansville Police around 3 p.m. on Friday – about an hour after Everette allegedly robbed the bank in LaGrange. The men were spotted by HPD officers as they traveled in the northbound lanes of Interstate 85 near the Hogansville exit.

One of the suspects, believed to be Everette, allegedly walked into the Community Bank and Trust just after 2 p.m. and asked an employee about opening an account, said investigators with the LaGrange Police Department.

After speaking with the employee for a few minutes, the suspect allegedly pulled out a handgun and forced the person to the floor, investigators said. The gunman made his way to the teller line and robbed the bank of an undisclosed amount of cash, LPD officials said.

The suspect then ran out the back of the building.

Once Everette and Ward were captured on I-85, investigators reportedly seized evidence of the crime from inside the car, according to police.

Everette was arrested and charged with one count of armed robbery, four counts of aggravated assault, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime by LPD investigators.

The alleged driver of the car, Ward, was also taken into custody and charged with one count of armed robbery.

Individuals with information about either incident are asked to contact the LPD at 706-883-2603 or Detective Marcus Rakestraw with the HPD at 706-637-6648. They can also call Troup County Crime Stoppers at 706-812-1000. Callers may remain anonymous.

Suspects remain behind bars

By Melanie Ruberti

mruberti@civitasmedia.com

Melanie Ruberti is a reporter with LaGrange Daily News. She can be reached at 706-884-7311, ext. 2156.