Yadkinville was flooded with local police officers, sheriff deputies and helicopters on Nov. 9 when a traffic stop at the intersection of Virginia Drive and Progress Lane led to a nearly five-hour man hunt.

The hunt led to the arrest of five suspects thought to be involved in the robbery of a Winston-Salem BB&T bank branch earlier that day.

A Yadkinville Police Officer and Yadkin County Sheriff’s Deputy worked together in a traffic stop due to suspicious activity and erratic driving at approximately noon last Friday.

“Our officers had no idea it was a robbery suspect at the time of the traffic stop,” said Tim Parks, Yadkinville Police Chief. “Our officers and sheriff’s deputies just observed unusual traffic activity and followed up on it. It was about 30 minutes into the investigation before we realized what the suspects were involved in.”

There were three individuals in the vehicle, and once officers stopped the vehicle to question the driver, two of the suspects fled the scene. The third occupant of the vehicle was detained on the scene.

The first suspect who fled was detained at approximately 1 p.m. on Cedar Street. The suspect was hiding in a wooded area behind a residence.

The second suspect who fled required an extensive ground search and an air search by the North Carolina State Highway Patrol helicopter out of Salisbury.

Chief Parks said that the biggest concern was getting the suspects caught before dark. There was concern for the safety of citizens because at least one suspect was considered armed and dangerous. Parks said that no weapons were found on any of the suspects when they were taken into custody however.

Two additional suspects were taken into custody without incident around 3:30 p.m. at the Four Brothers BP located at US 601 and Beroth Street in Yadkinville.

Chief Parks said that the community played a major role in the apprehension of the suspects.

“We had a lot of people in the community call in with very accurate tips,” Parks said. “We might not have caught the suspects as quickly as we did without the community’s help.”

The suspects were turned over to the Winston-Salem Police Department on Friday night for the charges relating to the bank robbery.

Charles Ronnell Williams, Alton T. Sims, Tyrone Thomas Woods and Darrick Damone Legardy, all of Los Angeles, Calif., were charged by the Winston-Salem Police Department in connection with the robbery investigation.

The Yadkinville Police Department was assisted by the North Carolina State Highway Patrol Troopers and Air Wing, Yadkin County Sheriff’s Office, Davie County Sheriff’s Office, North Carolina Community Corrections, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, Winston-Salem Police Department and the Yadkinville Fire Department in the apprehension of the suspects.

Reach Lindsay Craven at 679-2341 or at lcraven@heartlandpublications.com.