
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 6, 1991                   TAG: 9103060313
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: STATE 
SOURCE: Leslie Taylor
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

CHARGES UPHELD AGAINST SUSPECTS IN BANK ROBBERIES

U.S. Magistrate Glen Conrad on Tuesday found there was probable cause to support charges against three suspects in a string of bank robberies in Roanoke, Bedford and Lynchburg.

Thomas William Robinson, Tina Marie O'Meara and Jerry Lee Brewer were arrested Friday in connection with six bank robberies that began Jan. 25 at the Southwest Virginia Savings Bank in Southwest Roanoke.

The only substantive charge against them so far is of conspiring to rob the CorEast Federal Savings Bank off Virginia 419 in Southwest Roanoke County.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Morgan Scott said Tuesday that he "anticipates other charges forthcoming."

Three people fled the CorEast branch with approximately $17,000, according to an affidavit. Dye packs concealed with the money exploded, however, and the money was recovered a short distance from the bank.

Prosecutors asked that Robinson, of Pawleys Island, S.C.; O'Meara, of Salem; and Brewer, of Lynchburg, be held without bond.

Scott said he was concerned that Robinson and Brewer - both recent parolees from the state penal system - presented some risk.

The government has asked that O'Meara be held in part because of her addiction to alcohol and narcotics.

by CNB