Update: Suspect arrested in connection with Regions Bank robbery is the same woman involved in Telco Credit Union robbery

Tyler, Texas — Tyler Police tell KETK, Vanessa Ashford, the woman arrested Thursday afternoon in connection with the Regions Bank robbery, has confessed to both the Regions Bank robbery and the Telco Robbery in February. 

Above is a photo of the woman being taken into custody.

On March 29, 2012 the Tyler Police Department received a financial robbery alarm at the Regions Bank located at 1810 SSE Loop 323 in Tyler.  Information was also received from employees at the bank that the suspect appeared to be a black female wearing a mask, grey shirt, blue sweatpants and black shoes.  She reportedly brandished a large knife and left the location with an unknown amount of money.  A partial license plate of the suspect vehicle was obtained along with a description of the vehicle, possibly a black Chevrolet Impala. 

Tyler Police Officers responding to the area located a black Chevrolet Impala at University/Lazy Creek in Tyler and initiated a traffic stop.  The driver of the vehicle was identified as Vanessa Ashford, 27 years of age from Shreveport, LA.  After a search of the vehicle officers located a bag full of money and an exploded die pack in the trunk of the Impala. 

Ashford was arrested for Aggravated Robbery, a 1st degree felony.  She was interviewed by detectives with the at the Tyler Police Department.  She confessed to the Regions Bank robbery and also confessed to the robbery of the  2/29/12 Telco Credit Union robbery at 620 W. Front in Tyler.  She was also arrested for Aggravated Robbery on that case.
 

Tyler Police tell KETK, the woman arrested in connection with the Regions Bank robbery is the same woman involved with the Telco Credit Union robbery.

Tyler Police tell KETK, the woman identified as Vanessa Ashford was pulled over and found to have items in her vehicle that led officers to believe she may have been involved in the Regions Bank Robbery at about 1:00 pm on Thursday.

Ashford's vehicle was identified from a witness at the bank, who had been able to recall a partial plate number.

Tyler Police officials tell KETK, Ashford is believed to be the same woman involved in the ro [2]bbery of the Telco Credit Union [2]earlier this year.

FBI and Police officials are still on scene.

Check back to KETK for more information as the details come in.

Tyler Police have identified the suspect as Vanessa Ashford, 27.

Tyler Police have confirmed to KETK that a suspect has been arrested at University and Lazy Creek in Tyler.

The Regions Bank on SSW Loop 323 in Tyler was robbed at knifepoint at about 1:00 pm Thursday.

Tyler Police reportedly have a suspect in custody at this time.

Initial reports were that a black female robbed the bank, then left on foot going in an unknown direction of travel.

KETK has a crew on the scene and will bring you more details as they become available.