Last of OSB bank robbery suspects in custody

By Debby Schamber

The Orange Leader

Two additional suspects have been arrested in connection with the robbery at the McLewis branch of the Orange Savings Bank on Friday.

Patrick Jerome Levias, 46, and Eddie Wayne Levias, 43, from Newton County, are in the Orange County Jail on suspicion of their involvement with the robbery. The Levias brothers are believed to have dropped off the three other suspects at the Orange Savings Bank Friday just moments before the robbery.

“We believe they didn’t get any money from the bank robbery,” said Orange County Sheriff Mike White during a Wednesday press conference.

White said after the suspects entered the bank and jumped over the counters, their attempt to steal money was foiled since the drawers were locked.

Jose Cruz, 18, and Federico Johnson, 19, both of Jasper, are accused of entering the bank armed with revolvers and automatic handguns. According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the two suspects were inside the bank “about a minute” before fleeing north on foot. Both Cruz and Johnson, as well as a third suspect were arrested within minutes of the robbery at the Flying J Truckstop.

The name of the third suspect arrested is being withheld since he is a juvenile. According to officials, he has been released to juvenile authorities.

White said Wednesday that an 11-year-old boy assisted in the Friday capture, as he relayed information to dispatchers about the where-abouts of the suspects.

Newton Police Chief Tommy Adams said he was looking at a local media outlet’s website when he saw a picture of one of the suspects who was apprehended. As a result, deputies from the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Ranger Bobby Smith, and officers from the Newton Police Department conducted surveillance of a residence they believed to be linked to the crime.

Orange County warrants were issued to arrest the suspects at the home after Johnson and Cruz reportedly told authorities that the Levias brothers were involved in the robbery. During the interrogation, officers reportedly asked Johnson and Cruz why they committed the robberies.

“They said they couldn’t find a job,” Adams said. “They really won’t have to worry about employment for quite a few years.”

When officer’s arrived at the home of Eddie Levias to present the warrant, however, no one came to the door.

Sheriff Joe Walker said he then entered the house “with an 8-pound sledge hammer.”

Officers located Eddie Levias in the home’s attic, apparently hiding from officers. Patrick Levias was arrested without incident in Jasper.

Walker said neighbors near the house said they were shocked the Levias brothers were reportedly connected to the crimes.

“It all goes to show what law enforcement can do when they work together,” White said.

According to Adams, the suspects could be linked to a liquor store robbery and two convenience store robberies in addition to other thefts in Newton County.

“I guess taking $400 to $500 at a time wasn’t enough. I guess they wanted to step it up a bit and get big money,” Adams said referring to the convenience store robberies compared to the bank.

OPD investigators are also wanting to talk to the suspects about their possible involvement in the Jan. 15 robbery of the Cypress Plaza convenience store.

Officers believe there are a number of similarities in the convenience store robbery and the crimes committed in Newton County, including the suspects wearing dark clothing and masks. Additionally, after all of the robberies the suspects left on food.

According to Adams, the clothing worn during the robberies included dark masks, hoodies and bandanas. Adams also believes the gun used at the bank was taken from a house burglary the morning of the robbery.

The FBI has been called in on the case, as the robbery of a bank is a federal offense.