News Release

20090903-01
For Immediate Release

September 3, 2009

Contact: Natatia L. Bledsoe

Public Information Officer
Fredericksburg Police Department
(540)654-5701 (540)847-1849

Arrests Made in Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania Bank Robberies

Two suspects were arrested last night and charged in connection with the robberies at the
Virginia Credit Union on August 20 in Fredericksburg and at the PNC Bank in Spotsylvania
on August 31. In both cases, a male subject entered the bank and handed a note to an
employee. The suspect demanded cash and implied that he had a weapon, although a gun
was not displayed in either incident. In the Fredericksburg robbery, the suspect left the scene
in a white Lexus driven by a female. In the Spotsylvania robbery, the suspect fled the area in
a gold Mercedes with temporary license plates, also driven by a female accomplice.

On September 2 at 8:00 pm, an off-duty Fredericksburg detective was having dinner with his
family at the Chick-Fil-A in Central Park when he spotted a white Lexus that matched the
description of one of the suspect vehicles. Detective Johnny Wright proceeded into the
parking lot to obtain the vehicle’s license plate information when he saw the Lexus meet up
with a gold Mercedes in an adjoining parking lot. Detective Wright followed the Lexus out
of Central Park and stopped the vehicle at Heritage Park Apartments. Back-up officers
arrived at Heritage Park almost immediately, and the Lexus driver was identified and taken
into custody.

During the subsequent investigation, the identity of the female accomplice was discovered
and she was arrested later at the Motel 6 in Spotsylvania County. Three vehicles, including
the two that were used in the commission of these crimes, have been seized by law
enforcement for evidence collection. A search warrant was also executed at the home of the
male suspect at Hazel Hill Apartments in Fredericksburg.
Mellville Jovan Buckner, 26, of Fredericksburg has been
charged with the following:
1. Robbery
2. Enter a Bank while Armed with the Intent to Commit
Larceny
3. Issue a Written Threat of Bodily Harm to Commit
Larceny
4. Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony

Buckner faces additional charges in Spotsylvania County.

Shanelle Carissa Monique Lewis, 19, of Woodbridge has

been charged with the following:
1. Conspiracy to Commit Robbery
2. Accessory to Robbery
3. Issue a Written Threat of Bodily Harm to Commit
Larceny
4. Enter a Bank while Armed with the Intent to Commit
Larceny

Lewis also faces additional charges in Spotsylvania County.

The Fredericksburg Police Department wishes to acknowledge the invaluable assistance of the
Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the successful resolution of
these cases. “Thanks to the coordinated efforts of these agencies, two individuals who were a clear
threat to our communities have been apprehended quickly and safely”, said Fredericksburg Police
Chief David Nye.

###