Columbus authorities have a suspect in custody after a bank robbery Thursday.
Ashby Barton, 24, of 307 Sawyer Rd., in Winona was arrested and charged with one count of robbery. Columbus Police Department scanner traffic indicated the incident occurred at Renasant Bank on 905 Main St. just after 2 p.m. CPD Chief Selvain McQueen said the suspect handed the teller a note demanding money before being given an undetermined amount of cash and fleeing on foot. He was arrested less than an hour later, at 3 p.m., without incident inside the Cady Hill Home Counseling Services building less than a block away from the bank. Barton was living at the center while in treatment.
The suspect was not armed, McQueen said.
As of Thursday morning, Barton was transported to Lowndes County Detention Center. CPD is still investigating the incident. CPD spokesperson Latasha Key said Barton’s initial appearance will be this afternoon.
CPD has not released information on how much money the suspect allegedly took or how much has been recovered as of this morning.
He is currently being held without bond and his first court appearance had not been set as of this morning.
“I would like to thank the quick response from the city of Columbus as well as our brothers at the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department,” McQueen said. “They were instrumental in the apprehension of the young man.”
Nathan Gregory covers city and county government for The Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 32 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.