Arrest Made in Smyrna Bank Robbery; Search Continues for Another Suspect

The Smyrna Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division, along with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, has made one arrest in connection with a bank robbery that occurred on 01/14/2010 at 888 Concord Road (DBA- Regions Bank) in Smyrna and is looking for another suspect.

On 01/14/2010 at 11:32 a.m., a black male entered the Regions Bank armed with a handgun and demanded money from the business. The suspect was able to get away with a large sum of cash. He then got into a grey Dodge Avenger with a black male driver and 3-year-old female (back seat) and drove south on South Cobb Drive.

Lookouts were dispatched from witnesses on scene to be on the lookout for a black/white sedan and a grey Dodge sedan. Smyrna Police Officers were able to stop a grey Dodge a few miles south of the bank. Officers were able to identify the driver, Cornell Brumfield, and a female child in the back seat. No other occupants were seen in the vehicle. Upon discovering Brumfield possessed an invalid driver’s license and no insurance on the vehicle, officers placed him into custody and also took custody of the child. At this time, the vehicle was only considered a possible suspect vehicle in the robbery, and officers placed the vehicle in impound and had it towed to Smyrna Police Headquarters for further investigation.

At police headquarters, while the vehicle was being dropped off by the wrecker service, the missing suspect who had been hiding in the trunk was able to free himself from the trunk area and absconded custody.

The child, who was in the vehicle during the robbery, was not harmed and considered to be in good spirits. The child’s mother came to police headquarters and took custody of the child.

After receiving warrants to search the vehicle and further investigation, Detectives and Federal Agents were able to secure charges on the driver.

Brumfield is in federal custody and facing charges in connection with the bank robbery.

The Smyrna Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are actively searching for Ron Darnell Sterling. Sterling is believed to possibly be in the Atlanta area and should be considered armed and dangerous. If you have any information regarding Ron Sterling, please call the Smyrna Police Department at 770-434-9481, or the FBI.

Ron Darnell Sterling

- Male
- Age 35
- From Tylertown, MS
- 5’ 6” tall
- Approximately 140 pounds
- Last seen wearing tan pants and a blue shirt
- Wanted for the following charges: use of firearm by convicted felon; possession of firearm by convicted felon; armed robbery (weapon)