Bank robbery suspect arrested

A 31-year-old Odessa man has been arrested and charged in connection with a Monday bank robbery, police said.

A news release issued by Sgt. Paul Shepherd said Jerry Gasca was taken into custody just before midnight Mon-day at a home in the 1500 block of North Tom Green Avenue.

Officers were tipped off that a man matching the suspect’s description was in the home.

Detectives were given permission to search the premises and found “evidence and money from the robbery,” reports said.

Gasca was taken into custody and questioned by FBI agents from the Midland office.

Gasca is now in custody of U.S. Marshals, charged with “bank robbery” in connection with a Monday afternoon robbery at SouthWest Bank on Eighth Street and Alleghaney Avenue.

In that robbery, Odessa police Sgt. Bob Forbus said, a man went into the bank and handed a note to the teller demanding money.

SouthWest Bank president Dewey Bryant expressed his gratitude for the officers who worked the robbery.

“I think the greatest thing was the Odessa Police Department,” Bryant said. “They did a wonderful job, and we appreciate them.”

Bryant declined to comment on whether all the money had been recovered.

Meanwhile, authorities are continuing to look for a second suspect in the January robbery at Chase Bank.

Adrian Madrid Barrera is wanted for questioning in connection with the bank robbery.

Another suspect, Juan Ramon Ferrell confessed to robbing the bank on Jan. 31.

To provide information on the whereabouts of Barrera, call the Odessa Police Department at 333-3641, the FBI at 570-0255 or CrimeStoppers at 333-8477.