Woman Uses Child As Shield In Murphy Bank Robbery, Police Say

MURPHY, TX — One woman was arrested Wednesday afternoon after what police are calling an attempted bank robbery at the Bank of America branch at 113 E. FM 544.

Police say the woman entered the bank and doused the lobby with lighter fluid and gasoline before approaching the counter and demanding cash.

Tellers and office personnel called 9-1-1 at 1:24 p.m., and when Murphy officers arrived on the scene, the 36-year-old female suspect ran out of the building toward her car.

Police said officers did not draw their weapons, but instead tased the woman. When the taser did not incapacitate the woman, officers used pepper spray on her.

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The woman then ran to her car and pulled a small child, which she used as a shield. The woman eventually surrendered, police said. Neither she nor the child were injured.

The woman was arrested and taken to Collin County Detention Center, where she remains. The child was taken to Children's Medical Center to ensure the pepper spray did not harm the child.

No injuries were reported by bank personnel or the Police Department.

Clean-up at the bank is underway.

The woman has not been identified by police.