Salem Police Arrest Bank Robbery Suspect

The hunt for the suspect came to a close when Polk County Sheriff's Deputy Eric Shepherd spotted him in West Salem.

63-year old James N. Flowers Photo: Salem Police

(SALEM, Ore.) - Salem Police say a suspect was arrested shortly after he robbed a Salem bank with a demand note, and then fled in a vehicle.

Salem Police Lt. Dave Okada says the incident began Saturday at 11:01 a.m. when the Salem Police received a report of a bank robbery that had just occurred at the Chase Bank at 480 Glen Creek Road NW in Salem.

"The suspect, 63-year old James N. Flowers who is reportedly a transient, entered the bank and handed the teller a demand note. He received an undisclosed amount of cash and fled the scene in a vehicle," Okada said.

"Responding officers were able to get a description of the suspect vehicle and broadcast the information to surrounding agencies, as the vehicle was last seen headed northbound on Wallace Road."

Okada says at approximately 11:07 a.m., Polk County Sheriff's Deputy Eric Shepherd advised that he had located the suspect vehicle traveling northbound on Wallace Road near Brush College Road NW.

"Salem units responded to assist, and the suspect vehicle was eventually stopped on Wallace Road near the entrance to the Wheatland Ferry."

The suspect, James Flowers, was taken into custody without further incident according to Okada, and the stolen money was recovered as well. He was transported to the Polk County Jail and lodged on the charge of first-degree Robbery.

Okada says the investigation will be turned over to the FBI for further action and information.