Armed Bank Robbery in Darien, Georgia

Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Gregory Jones, FBI Atlanta, in conjunction with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), the McIntosh County Sheriff’s Office, and the Darien, Georgia Police Department, provides the following information regarding yesterday’s armed bank robbery at the Heritage Bank, 1142 Highway 17 North, Darien, Georgia.

On Monday, July 20, 2009, at approximately 12:24 p.m., three black males entered the Heritage Bank, 1142 Highway 17 North, Darien, Georgia, brandishing a .30 cal. carbine rifle, a handgun, and possibly a shotgun. The robbers forced those in the bank to get down on the floor. Two of the robbers then jumped over the teller counter and accessed the teller stations, obtaining an undisclosed amount of money. The robbers then fled in a burgundy in color Kia van.

As the robbers attempted to depart the bank, a witness called in to 911 dispatch. The subsequent 911 dispatch call alerted a Darien Police Department officer who happened to be across the street from the bank at that time. Pursuit of the robbers began immediately, resulting in a multi agency high speed pursuit along northbound Highway 17. The chase ended in the Eulonia area with the robbers bailing out into the woods after having hit a tree. Two of the suspects were arrested at the scene by responding McIntosh County Sheriff’s Deputies. The third suspect remains at large.

Arrested were Alfredo Germain Mason, 20 years old, from Opa Locka, Florida, and Aaron Jermaine Jackson, age 19, from West Palm Beach, Florida.

The third individual, who remains at large, is Michael David Palmer, age 50, recently a resident of the Miami, Florida area but originally from the Darien, Georgia area. Palmer is considered armed and dangerous.

State charges of armed robbery have been filed on all three individuals. Federal charges are anticipated.

Anyone with information which may assist law enforcement should contact the McIntosh County Sheriff’s Office at (912) 437-6622 or the FBI at (404) 679-9000.

The public should be reminded that the above are merely allegations and that persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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