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Off-Duty AR Cop Foils Robbery Fort Smith, AR - 8/18/2001 Fort Smith Times Record By Michael Ream A Kansas man who allegedly robbed a Van Buren bank Thursday was overpowered by an off-duty police officer before he could make his escape, according to police officials. Richard Banister, 46, was taken into custody about 3:40 p.m., said Lt. Brent Grill of the Van Buren Police Department. Off-duty Arkansas Highway Police officer Pete Lopez wrestled Banister to the floor during a robbery in progress at Firstar Bank, 2901 Alma Blvd. “He did the right thing,” Grill said. After a brief struggle, Lopez, who was unarmed, subdued Banister and took a BB gun from him, Grill said. No shots were fired, and the only injuries occurred when Lopez suffered a few bruises in the struggle, Grill said. Police recovered the BB gun and a bag containing cash at the bank, and also collected evidence from a late-model Lexus parked outside an insurance office next door to the bank, Grill said. Grill would not say what evidence was found or how much money was recovered. He said investigators believe Banister drove the Lexus from Kansas to Arkansas. “It’s kind of an interesting story,” Grill said, but he would not provide more specific information. Grill said police received a 911 call at 3:28 p.m. from a teller at the bank who told police a man with a gun had entered the bank, displayed the gun to a teller, handed the teller a bag, and demanded money. Grill said police received a call a few minutes later from the same teller saying a customer in the bank was struggling with the robber and was attempting to gain control of the weapon. Lopez entered the bank after Banister, Grill said. Grill said Banister ordered Lopez into a seat next to the front door, and that Lopez got up and struggled with Banister after Banister turned his back and was facing the tellers. No other customers were in the bank. Grill said Banister, who was booked into the Crawford County Detention Center Thursday evening on suspicion of aggravated robbery, was questioned by FBI officials at the Van Buren Police Department. Grill said Banister probably will be released to federal authorities today. Grill said the last armed robbery he could remember in Van Buren was around 1995, when a gunman robbed a Citizens’ Bank and later was apprehended in Oklahoma    Ken [NY]