Clarksville, TN – On November 3rd, 2011, around 8:15pm, officers were called to the scene of a robbery of a business in the 1300 Block of Fort Campbell Boulevard. Two men entered the store with masks, assaulted and robbed the 32 year old clerk. When the robbers fled from the scene, they dropped a stun gun and handgun at the scene.
Officers and Sheriff’s Deputies arrived on scene and started to comb the area looking for the suspects. MCSO’s K-9 Officer, Deputy Kelly Potter, located one of the suspect’s, Melvin Banks hiding behind an air conditioner at a house in the area. Banks was taken into custody. After Banks was taken into custody, officers took on the task of piecing the details of the robbery together.
The clerk was able to break free from the attacker and run out the front door of the business. But, the clerk was caught and one of the suspects attempted to drag him back into the business. An undisclosed amount of money was taken from the clerk and the robbers fled from the scene.
Shortly after that, Deputy Potter located Banks. Detective Ewing interviewed Banks and determined he was the man with the stun gun and the restrained the clerk so his accomplice could take the money. Banks was also carrying the handgun, but lost it while fighting with the clerk.
The subsequent investigation led Police to Devion Stanford, a current store employee. He admitted to plotting to rob his employer and entering into the store wearing a mask and gloves with another individual with the purpose of taking money.
The last piece of the puzzle was put in place after investigators were able to ascertain that another man, Donald Rains, drove the two masked men to and from the store so they could steal the money in exchange for compensation.
The lead investigator is Detective Eric Ewing.
Melvin Banks Jr.
Name: Melvin Leon Banks Jr. (B/M)
DOB: 3/17/81
Given Address: 276 South Lancaster Road, Clarksville TN
Arresting Officer: Jeffrey Lucenti
Charged With: Aggravated Robbery and Aggravated Kidnapping
Booked Into: Montgomery County Jail
Bond: $ 50,000
Devion Stanford
Name: Devion Patrick DeJohn Standford (B/M)
DOB: 2/26/91
Given Address: 235 Lancaster Road, Clarksville TN
Arresting Officer: Jeffrey Lucenti
Charged With: Aggravated Robbery
Booked Into: Montgomery County Jail
Bond: $25,000
Donald Rains Jr.
Name: Donald L. Rains Jr. (W/M)
DOB: 1/18/86
Given Address: 376 South Lancaster Road, Clarksville TN
Arresting Officer: Mary Muckle
Charged With: Aggravated Robbery
Booked Into: Montgomery County Jail
Bond: $ 10,000
