Multiple Florida Highway Patrol units, deputies from the Okaloosa and Walton County Sheriff’s Offices, and U.S. Marshal’s Task Force members were patrolling U.S. 90 and North Hathaway Street in Crestview area while looking for a red Toyota sedan from Louisiana, FHP officials said in a news release.
“Information was received to search for a female driver of the vehicle who was reported to be a bank manager of a financial institution in Gretna, Louisiana,” FHP officials said. “She allegedly robbed the bank of a large sum of cash and began traveling east, finally entering into Florida.”
A Florida State Trooper, along with multiple other units, subsequently located the suspect vehicle at U.S. 90 and State Road 285 in Mossy Head, where a successful felony stop was conducted. The suspect – Alexa Braud, of Gretna, Louisiana – was reportedly suicidal, but she was taken into custody without incident, FHP officials said.
A search of the Toyota revealed a small cooler containing nearly $150,000 in cash and a firearm, according to WCSO officials.
Deputies from the WCSO brought Braud to the Walton County Jail as Louisiana authorities were entering an arrest warrant for robbery of the bank. The bank is the Riverland Federal Credit Union in Gretna.
“The quick response of multiple agencies working together led to the safe capture of this fugitive,” FHP officials said.
