A bank robbery four states and nearly 800 miles away proved to be the lead Banks County investigators needed to nab the woman suspected of robbing a bank in Commerce last week.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office in Maryland contacted local authorities June 22 after receiving information about the armed robbery at Northeast Georgia Bank in Banks Crossing that occurred June 19. Maryland officials informed BCSO that a recent robbery in their jurisdiction had striking similarities.
“Washington County investigators were successful in developing a suspect in their agency’s case that occurred in Hagerstown, MD last Wednesday at approximately 4:20 p.m.,” says Banks County Sheriff’s Lt. Carissa McFadden. “Banks County and Washington County Investigators were able to compare notes and during their extensive investigation, an overwhelming amount of evidence connected the suspect to both crimes.
A nationwide BOLO was issued for the suspect, ultimately leading to the big break in the case.
44-year-old Christi Diane Slade of Rensselaer, New York was arrested at her home county sheriff’s office when she arrived to visit her husband in jail.
Authorities say Slade confessed to both bank robberies. She’s currently awaiting extradition to Maryland from New York to face outstanding charges filed by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. “Once in Maryland, she will then face extradition to Georgia to face our charge of armed robbery,” McFadden says.
Slade was previously convicted on charges related to bank robberies in 1993 and 2008. She was released from federal prison in 2013.
