CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Charleston Police have released the name of the suspect arrested Wednesday night for the robbery of the Fifth-Third Bank in Kanawha City.
Helena Nicole Marcum, 23, of Pratt was charged with first degree robbery.
Charleston Police arrested her at the home where she was house sitting for her sister in the Hurricane area Wednesday night. She’s suspected of driving the getaway car in the Wednesday afternoon robbery.
Information in the criminal complaint indicated police were led to Marcum after contacting the owner of the car who stated he had loaned the vehicle to his girlfriend and told them where they could find Marcum at the residence of her sister in Hurricane.
According to the criminal complaint, Marcum told police she was called by Jason Compton and asked for a ride. Marcum said she drove him to the bank in Kanawha City, but was unaware he planned to rob the bank. Marcum told police she only realized what had happened when Compton exited the bank with a gun and told her to drive.
Marcum also told authorities they returned to the home of her sister in Hurricane where she was house sitting to let the dogs out of the house for a bathroom break. While she was walking the dogs, Marcum said Compton remained in the house. Police questioned why she didn’t take the opportunity to escape.
“I was afraid the kids in the neighborhood would be hurt,” Marcum told police.
Marcum said she later drove Compton to the Walgreen’s Parking Lot in Hurricane and dropped him off and didn’t know where he was.
The search for Compton continues. He’s a resident of Dawes.
“Anyone who may have seen him or knows his whereabouts, please give us a call. Anonymous tips are welcome. We just want to get him in custody,” said Charleston Police Lieutenant Steve Cooper.
Cooper said Compton is known to split his time between Teays Valley and Beckley, but they are unsure where he may be now. Cooper added the relationship between Compton and Marcum is not clear.
“In a situation like this he may have fled the area or he may still be hiding in the area,” Cooper said. “We are operating under the assumption he is still in the area and that he could be armed and dangerous.”
The criminal complaint indicated in excess of $11,000 was stolen from the bank in the heist. Cooper said some of the money was recovered when they arrested Marcum along with the missing license plate from the getaway vehicle.