Two Arrested in Connection with “Security Guard” Bank Robberies in Dallas, Cedar Hill, Waco, and Temple

February 16, 2010 - Robert E. Casey Jr., special agent in charge, Dallas, FBI, announces the arrest of BENJAMINE A. POTTS, in DeSoto, Texas, on February 11, 2010 and RONNIE KEITH KELLY in Dallas, Texas on February 12, 2010.

On January 8, 2010, POTTS and KELLY are alleged to have robbed the Liberty Federal Savings Bank on Gaston in Dallas, Texas. On January 19, 2010, the robbers are believed to have robbed a Wachovia Bank on Garland Road in Dallas, Texas. During this robbery the robbers were dressed in what appeared to be security guard-style jackets. On February 2, 2010, robbers struck the Independent Bank in Waco, Texas. On February 12, 2010, the robbers struck again, robbing the Bank of America in Temple, Texas. In both the Waco and Temple, Texas, robberies the robbers were dressed in the security guard-style jackets.

On the evening of February 11, 2010, DeSoto Police responded to a disturbance call. Upon arrival on scene, DeSoto police officers determined a federal arrest warrant for bank robbery had been issued for POTTS. POTTS was taken into custody.

On February 12, 2010, agents from the Dallas FBI Safe Streets Task Force located KELLY in the area of the Royal Motel on Independence Drive in Dallas, Texas, where he was taken into custody.

POTTS is described as a white male, 47 years old. KELLY is a black male, 47 years old.

The FBI would like to thank the DeSoto Police Department and the Dallas FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force for locating and apprehending POTTS and KELLY. The Safe Streets Task Force is comprised of the FBI, Dallas Police Department, Dallas County Sheriff’s Office, and Garland Police Department personnel.

The public is reminded that an indictment and arrest is not evidence of guilt and that all defendants in criminal cases are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

A note to the media: Bank security photographs from the 1/19/2010 and 2/2/2010 bank robberies are posted on bandittracker.com. The 2/12/2010 Temple, Texas bank robbery will be added to the bandittracker web site as they become available.