The First National Bank of Berryville branch in Eureka Springs was held up last Friday afternoon by a male suspect who was arrested in Bentonville a short time later, according to Eureka Springs Police Chief Thomas Achord.
Hunter Cory Chafin, 19, of Berryville, was dropped off at the bank shortly before 2 p.m., and after the robbery exited in a white taxi heading south on Hwy. 23. A total of $3350 was taken, according to Achord. “A teller saw a black car drop him off, and he walked in and asked about his checking account, which had been closed. He handed the teller a note saying ‘50’s and 100’s only no troubles I have a gun.’”
Achord said ESPD located the taxi, owned by Abundant Taxi, using GPS tracking. Taxi driver Joanna Buck said the suspect told her he had gotten a loan and wanted to buy a motorcycle, which he did on arrival in Bentonville. Chafin paid his taxi bill with a $100 and a $50 bill, which was later confiscated by police.
Achord said Chafin bought a black Honda Sports Bike that had been listed on craigslist, and paid cash. A uniformed officer at the Bentonville address sold the motorcycle to Chafin, who paid him $2900, for which the officer wrote out a bill of sale and signed the title.
ESPD had contacted Bentonville Police, so when Chafin left on the motorcycle, the officer who had sold the bike drove up beside him, pulled him over and arrested him.
Chafin confessed to the crime shortly after 6 p.m., according to Achord, who added that the person who drove the black car that let Chafin out at the bank was not considered an accomplice, he had simply been asked by Chafin to give him a ride to the bank.
Chafin, who had the note shown the bank teller in his pocket when arrested, told police he had planned the robbery for a week or so, researched ways to not get caught and the penalties if he did.
On Monday, Circuit Court Judge Scott Jackson set Chafin’s bond at $250,000.