From The Tribune staff reports
LEEDS — Police here caught a suspected bank robber accused of victimizing institutions in at least two states.
Leeds Police partnered with the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office and SWAT team and the Moody Police Department to arrest Jasper Michael Wagner, 56, of Tupelo, Mississippi. Wagner was wanted bank robberies in both Mississippi and Alabama.
Acting on information from the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, Leeds patrol officers found Wagner’s vehicle at the Days Inn Motel on the 1800 block of Ashville Road in Leeds. Officers then determined the suspect’s room number. Officers from all three agencies worked to apprehend Wagner while ensuring that no bystanders were harmed.
“I am very appreciative of our officers and their dedication to duty. I am thankful for cooperation that we have with other law enforcement agencies especially the Moody Police Department and St. Clair County Sheriff’s Officers who we work with daily to stop violent criminals like on this occasion,” said Leeds Police Chief Paul Irwin. “With their assistance, we took this violent criminal in custody without injury to the defendant or a law enforcement officer. These men and women go out every day to remove dangerous criminals from our community with valor. I am excited that we removed him before he could victimize someone in our community.”