Mississippi Man Arrested After Slidell Bank Robbery - Also Responsible for Another Robbery in Houma

A Mississippi man, who committed two bank robberies within a week, is behind bars and is facing charges of armed robbery and felon in possession of a firearm.
 
Around 2:30 p.m. yesterday afternoon, the Slidell Police Department responded to a report of a bank robbery at Regions Bank, located at 1253 Gause Boulevard.  A man entered the bank, provided a note indicating he had a gun, and demanded cash.
 
While fleeing from the bank, an eye witness was able to obtain a vehicle description and provided that information to Slidell Police.  The witness told police that suspect jumped into a black pickup truck with a Mississippi license plate.  Officer Steve Gilley, who was at the intersection of Gause Boulevard and Interstate 10, observed a black 2005 GMC Sierra attempting to get on the interstate.  Officer Gilley, along with several other officers who rushed to the area, stopped the truck.
 
The driver of the truck, who was identified as 35-year-old Walter Fairley, was immediately detained.  A witness was able to identify Fairley as the man who robbed the Regions bank.  At the time of arrest, officers recovered a loaded .22 caliber pistol stuffed in Fairley’s waistband.  Officers were also able to recover evidence from inside of Fairley’s truck, which also directly linked him to the robbery.
 
Yesterday evening, The Federal Bureau of Investigation met with Slidell Police detectives in order to conduct a joint investigation.  Throughout the course of the investigation, it was discovered that Fairley was also responsible for the robbery of a Chase Bank in Houma, Louisiana, which occurred last Thursday afternoon.  For most of the day today, all three agencies conducted several search warrants throughout the Houma area and the State of Mississippi, which is where Fairley currently resides.
 
Chief Randy Smith says, “I couldn’t be more proud of the way my officers handed this incident.  Their quick response resulted in the apprehension of the suspect.  Once again, another citizen assisted us by providing key information, which ultimately led to a criminal being taken off of our streets.”
 
As of Tuesday night, Fairley is being held in the Slidell City Jail, where he will later be transported to the St. Tammany Parish Jail.  The motive of the robbery is believed to be an ongoing gambling addiction.  The Houma Police Department is currently wrapping up their investigation, and is expected to officially obtain arrest warrants for Fairley either this evening or early tomorrow morning.
  
 
Public Information Officer - Contact Information

Detective Daniel Seuzeneau – 985-646-6181 or dseuzeneau@slidellpd.com 
 

Walter Fairley