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MySpace Photos Lead To Capture Of Bank Robbery Suspects

The suspects in three Alabama bank robberies are behind bars in Florida, thanks to tips and MySpace photos.

They are identified as Rhianna Marie Jones, 30, address unknown, and Jerry Hover Tinsley, 30, of Rutherford, North Carolina.. The pair allegedly robbed banks in Flomaton, East Brewton and Florala.

The Florala Police Department received a tip from a confidential informant about the couple and confirmed their identity using the popular social networking site MySpace.

The pair was arrested by federal agents and local law enforcement after a short chase from a Motel 6 in Destin, Florida, late Thursday night. The arrest was reportedly the result of a tip phoned into the Florala (Ala.) Police Department Thursday afternoon.

The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Warrants Unit was assisting the FBI from Mobile in the hunt for Tinsley and Jones. They determined that they were staying in the Motel 6 located at 405 Harbor Boulevard in Destin. In addition to being suspects in the bank robberies, authorities knew Jones was wanted on felony charges out of Pinellas County, Florida, and Tinsley was suspected of being in violation of his probation.

At 11:14 p.m. Thursday, the pair was seen leaving the Motel 6 in a gold color 2004 Chevrolet Impala with a Florida tag.  Deputies attempted a traffic stop in the parking lot, but Tinsley and Jones fled westbound on Harbor Boulevard, a four lane divided highway, at a high rate of speed, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office arrest report.

“Tinsley, who was identified as the driver, was passing around and between cars to get away,” according to Okaloosa Deputy Todd Watkins. Speeds in the chase, according to Watkins, reach in excess of 90 mph. Tinsley, who is known by the street name “Prison Ink” turned onto two-land roads, and the chase continued over 90 mph until he turned onto the dead end Sea Hills Drive. The  total distance of the chase was about 1.8 miles.

While several units pursued the vehicle down the dead end street, Deputy Watkins went to an adjacent street where he observed the duo flee on foot. He was able to take Tinsley into custody, while Jones fled into a wooded area. She was located a short time later hiding in some brush in a fenced in yard.

The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office has charged Tinsley with fleeing and eluding at high speed, resisting arrest without violence, and possession of a controlled substance. Jones is charged with resisting arrest without violence.

Tinsley reportedly had two grams cocaine and three Oxycontin pills in his possession.

According to Watkins’ report, Jones had multiple additional warrants for her arrest. Details on those warrants were not available.

A modern-day Bonny and Clyde first robbed the Wachovia Bank in Florala, Alabama, March 4. Then a couple reportedly struck the United Bank in Flomaton just before closing time on March 8. And, on  March 17, they reportedly struck again at the BankTrust in East Brewton.

All three robberies were similar — the pair walked into the bank and each handed holdup notes to different bank tellers. The notes demanded the money be given to them  in small bills. They did not display a weapon during any of the robberies.

The FBI has not official charged the pair with any of the bank robberies, according to Doug  Astralaga, spokesperson for the Mobile office of the FBI. He said charges are pending the outcome of the FBI’s investigation. He said those charges could come as early as Wednesday.