BENTONVILLE -- A Bella Vista man pleaded not guilty Monday to felony charges in connection with the robbery of the Bank of the Ozarks in Bentonville.
Damon Christian Vargas, 21, is charged with aggravated robbery, theft of property and possession of a firearm by certain persons. He pleaded not guilty to the charges at his arraignment before Benton County Circuit Judge Robin Green.
Vargas was arrested Aug. 10 in connection with the bank robbery at 405 S.W. 14th St.
Vargas walked into the bank on Aug. 10 and handed a teller a note that read "calm" "armed" "50's 100's" and "Envelope," according to a probable cause affidavit.
The teller gathered all the hundred-dollar bills, which totaled $3,200, and handed Vargas the money, according to the affidavit.
Police released video of the robbery and received multiple calls identifying the suspect as Vargas, the affidavit states.
He admitted to having $2,900 in cash in his house, according to court documents. Police found the money, a semi-automatic pistol and the note passed during the robbery, according to the affidavit.
Vargas admitted to the robbery and told police he committed the crime because he was tired of being in drug court and just wanted to live his life the way he wanted to.
He went to his mother's house after the robbery to say goodbye and to change clothes and shave in an effort to alter his appearance, the affidavit states. Vargas then bought $140 worth of marijuana, according to the affidavit. Vargas said he intended on getting caught in about a year or turning himself in, but wanted to have fun and catch up with some people, according to the affidavit.
He is being held on $250,000 bond in the Benton County Jail.
NW News on 09/18/2018