Man accused of robbing multiple banks across North Carolina apprehended
A man wanted in multiple bank robberies across the state, including in Belmont, was arrested in Black Mountain after leading police on a high-speed chase, the Black Mountain Police Department said.
Kelvin Wayne Simmons, 53, of Concord, is accused of robbing the Woodforest National Bank on Hawley Avenue just after noon on Saturday, May 27.
Simmons allegedly walked in and passed a note to an employee demanding money.
On Thursday, June 1, Black Mountain Police received an automated notification about a person with a warrant for their arrest that was triggered by recently installed license plate readers, according to a police press release.
As officers tried to stop him, Simmons released two passengers and drove off, police said.
Simmons led officers on a high-speed chase traveling on I-40 at speeds of over 115 mph, police said. During the pursuit, Simmons allegedly entered I-26 traveling the wrong way and struck several vehicles. After crashing, Simmons exited the wrecked vehicle and attempted to carjack a vehicle that had stopped on the highway, police said. Bystanders wrestled Simmons to the ground and held him until police arrived and arrested him, according to reports.
Simmons is wanted in multiple bank robberies across the state. He is alleged to have been calling dispatch centers and reporting shots had been fired prior to robbing the banks, and just as the license plate reader sent police a notification, their dispatch center in Black Mountain received a similar call, police said.
As a result, police believe Simmons was preparing to rob a bank in Black Mountain shortly before his arrest.
Simmons has outstanding arrest warrants in Gaston, Henderson, Mecklenburg, Rowan and Cabarrus counties. He faces charges including robbery with a dangerous weapon, attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon, fleeing to elude arrest, second-degree kidnapping, and attempted common law robbery.
This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Man accused of robbing multiple banks across North Carolina
