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On November 20, 2009 a bank robbery occurred at Cattleman’s National Bank in Round Mountain, Texas. Three suspects described as Hispanic males wearing ski masks, armed with handguns took a bank employee hostage as initial officers arrived on the scene. The hostage was released as the suspects fled on foot through a rural area west of the bank. An immediate request for assistance was broadcast to set a physical perimeter to contain the suspects. The timely response to this request for assistance is responsible for the success enjoyed in this investigation. Law Enforcement units from Burnet and Llano Counties including the municipal police departments within them provided valuable assistance. Texas Rangers as well as Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers responded in force as well as providing valuable assistance. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice, our State Prison System, provided mounted officers as well as tracking dogs to assist in locating these suspects.

This investigation is a positive example of cooperating law enforcement agencies operating for the common good of the citizens of this great state. The actions of the individual officers that traveled to Blanco County to assist are known, but behind the scenes many other maneuvers take place. For instance if five officers from Marble Falls Police Department are directed to Blanco County to assist somebody has to stand ready to perform their duties should the need arise in their respective jurisdiction. Due to the emergency situation in Blanco County, Marble Falls sends units and should the need arise Horseshoe Bay officers and or Burnet County officers protect Marble Falls. As of November 21, 2009 all three suspects were in custody charged with Aggravated Robbery and Aggravated Kidnapping. This investigation has identified the same suspects as having robbed the Security State Bank in Blanco, Texas on October 21, 2009. These suspects reside in San Antonio, Texas and have been found to be complicit in fifteen aggravated robberies in that jurisdiction. I have personally thanked the many department heads and individual officers known to have provided assistance. This article is written in hopes that you, the individual citizen, will take the time to thank your local area law enforcement officers. November 20, 2009 was truly a proud day for area Law Enforcement.

Sincerely;

W.R. Elsbury

Sheriff Blanco County, Texas