Brandon David Nunnelley’s vain get-rich-quick attempt ended within minutes after he is accused of robbing the BB&T Bank off Highway 515 in Blue Ridge last Thursday, April 29.
A warrant charging Nunnelley, 32, of 2652 Lauren Lane, NW, in Kennesaw, was sworn out by Fannin County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Gary Edwards later that same day.
Investigations Captain Justin Turner said the call reporting the robbery came into the Fannin County 911 Center at 10:07 a.m.
A suspect had entered the bank, produced a note demanding money, and told tellers he had a gun.
Units from both the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office and Blue Ridge Police Department were on the scene within minutes.
Fannin County dispatch put out an initial BOLO (be-on-the-lookout) for the suspect based on information from the 911 call. Investigators interviewed bank tellers while deputies converged on the area between the bank and the Fannin/Gilmer line.
Deputies also passed the BOLO on to Gilmer County authorities.
As investigators gathered more information, the BOLO was updated, Turner said.
That information described a white male, in his late 20s, wearing red gloves and a black wig, and driving a black Toyota Camry. Investigations Sergeant J.K. Davenport credited bank tellers for giving a description that was “very, very close,” enabling law enforcement to narrow their search.
Within minutes, Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office deputies had a car stopped matching the BOLO.
According to Captain Frank Copeland of the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were patrolling Highway 515 when they stopped a vehicle matching the description in the BOLO.
While they had that vehicle stopped, another vehicle matching the description approached.
When deputies attempted to stop that suspect, he stopped briefly, but then drove off.
The Gilmer deputies began a chase headed toward Pickens County.
Turner said that chase continued south on Highway 515, until Nunnelley turned onto Highway 136, and then back north on Old Highway 5.
It was soon afterward that a Gilmer County deputy successfully executed a PIT (Precision Intervention Technique) maneuver to end the chase, avoiding further danger to other drivers, Turner said.
Within minutes Turner and Edwards arrived on the scene.
Nunnelley was taken by ambulance to Piedmont Mountainside Hospital in Jasper complaining of injuries.
Fannin investigators found cash totaling $2,210 dollars strewn inside and outside Nunnelley’s vehicle, Turner said. Also recovered were the note and disguise used in the robbery.
Friday, Nunnelley was being held in the Gilmer County Detention Center on traffic charges resulting from the chase. Those included two felonies; fleeing or attempting to elude police officer and aggravated assault against law enforcement officer when engaged in official duty, and three misdemeanors; driving with suspended or revoked license, speeding, and failure to drive within single lane. Bond was set at $37,000.
Once Nunnelley makes bond or the charges make their way through the court system, he is to be returned to Fannin County where he is expected to face more charges in connection with the robbery, Edwards said.
Sheriff Dane Kirby expressed his appreciation to the Gilmer County deputies, noting this is not the first time suspects have fled only to be arrested south of here within minutes.