Feds arrest three for robbery, LPD suspects ties to local crime

The Lebanon Police Department has announced that tips from Crime Stoppers were directly responsible for the Wednesday night arrests of three people in connection with last week’s robbery of Pinnacle Bank’s 4715 Andrew Jackson Parkway Branch during which a shot was fired.

Convicted felons Chad Warrick, 31, and Angela Camarda, 30, were taken into custody by members of the FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force and Madison Precinct officers during a vehicle stop at 7 p.m. at the intersection of Old Hickory Boulevard and Brick Church Pike. The couple had been under surveillance by Task Force members and a Metro police helicopter prior to their arrest.  The third defendant, convicted felon Cynthia Heinz, 37, was arrested at her residence in Northern Davidson County. Warrick and Camarda had also been staying there.

Lebanon Police Chief Scott Bowen believes that two of the three are also responsible for a robbery that happened in Lebanon last month.

"We have strong reasons to believe that Warrick and Camarda were involved in our Quick Cash robbery on July 13," Bowen said. "The investigation is continuing at this time. At some time we will be pursuing charges here, or federally, for the July 13 robbery."

Warrick is very familiar to the LPD.

Records reflect Warrick was convicted of two counts of aggravated robbery and felony drug possession in Wilson County.

"He was charged for aggravated robbery of the Krystal here in 2000, and in another robbery here that same year," Bowen noted."He's a frequent flyer of ours."  

Heinz was convicted of multiple counts of obtaining drugs by fraud in DeKalb County, welfare fraud in Wilson County and theft in Davidson County. Camarda was convicted of two counts of forgery and obtaining drugs by fraud in Wilson County.

All three defendants are being formally charged with bank robbery in federal court. Additionally, Camarda was booked on an outstanding state parole violation warrant.

In the Pinnacle Bank robbery, Warrick, Camarda and Heinz are alleged to have plotted together to commit the robbery. Warrick is accused of entering the bank wearing makeup on his face and hands and carrying a .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol.  The robber demanded money and yelled, “No police.”

A 41-year-old bank employee who was eating lunch in a conference room adjacent to the lobby got up and looked out. The gunman saw her and she shut the conference room door. As she did so, the gunman fired one round into the door. The bullet lodged in a conference room wall and was recovered. The employee suffered an injury to her hand as she took cover.
         
After robbing the bank, Warrick is alleged to have fled in a light silver Pontiac Grand Prix, which was waiting in a nearby parking lot. Heinz is alleged to have been the getaway driver. The car was recovered from the Clay Lick Court residence Wednesday night.  Camarda is alleged to have met with Warrick and Heinz in the Hermitage area before and after the robbery.
         
Bowen noted that his department has time to decide how to handle the local charges against the suspects.

"They will remain in custody and we're in conversations with the U.S. Attorney's office now as to wether they will be charged locally or federally.

 As always, law enforcement officials remind the public the criminal complaint being filed in this case is merely an accusation and not evidence of guilt.  The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at trial, at which the United States government must bear the burden of proof.

Staff writer Mary Hinds may be reached at 444-3952, ext. 45 or via email at maryhinds@lebanondemocrat.com