Police Captured Woodstock Bank Robbery Suspects In 12 Minutes

WOODSTOCK, GA — It took police less than 15 minutes to capture the two men who stand accused of robbing a bank Tuesday afternoon in Woodstock. That's according to the Woodstock Police Department, which charged two Marietta men with the Dec. 4 incident reported at BB&T.

Officers were dispatched to a call at 1:25 p.m. to the bank at 936 Towne Lake Parkway. Woodstock police said two men brandishing a firearm entered the bank and robbed the establishment.

The two suspects fled in a vehicle westbound on Towne Lake Parkway. After receiving the alarm call, Woodstock police units arrived at the scene and received a detailed description of the pair and the vehicle, a Chevrolet Silverado. That information was broadcast to Cherokee County dispatchers, and deputy with the Cherokee Sheriff's Office observed the suspected vehicle on Bells Ferry Road.

That deputy tried to perform a traffic stop, but the suspects allegedly refused to pull over, so a vehicle pursuit ensued. According to the Georgia State Patrol, sheriff's deputies initially tried to perform a PIT maneuver on the truck, but were unsuccessful. The Chevrolet continued south on Bells Ferry Road until it reached Ga. 92. The alleged robbers turned right onto the state highway and continued westbound.

Sheriff's deputies and Woodstock officers continued the pursuit until a Woodstock cop performed a successful PIT maneuver near the Woodstock Road intersection, the state patrol said. The truck was immobilized, but the two men fled on foot. Officers chased the suspects, and they were quickly captured, Woodstock police said.

WPD spokesperson Sgt. Randy Milligan said the two men were arrested at 1:37 p.m. Tuesday by that agency as well as CSO deputies.

"The Woodstock Police Department is very proud of the quick actions of our officers and the invaluable assistance from the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office leading to a safe conclusion and arrest of the suspects in 12 minutes," the agency added.

Rene Rivera, 40, and Luis Sandoval, 21, both of Marietta, were taken into custody, and are each charged with armed robbery and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. They remain held without bond at the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center.

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Photo: Luis Sandoval, left, and Rene Rivera. Credit: Cherokee Sheriff's Office.