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Prosecutor argues bank robbery suspect should remain jailed

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Two suspected bank robbers and their alleged getaway driver appeared in federal court early Friday.

George Rinnix, Jr., Cory Talbert and Tiffani Robinson are accused of robbing the First Citizens Bank on Albemarle Road last week and then leading officers on a chase.

A federal prosecutor argued that Rinnix should not be released from jail because he is a danger to the community and a flight risk. The prosecutor said that what happened at the bank was "nothing short of terrifying."

The prosecutor said Rinnix and Talbert went into the bank with masks, gloves and guns. He said they forced bank employees into the safe for money, bound them on the ground and then took the bank manager's car, as well as some money from the tellers.  The two got a total of nearly $23,000.

Police said Robinson, who is pregnant, was waiting at a second location and then drove the men in another car, eventually leading officers on a high-speed chase.

Rinnix's attorney told the judge her client was not a danger and should be released so he can care for his children. She said he owns a local cleaning business and needs to work.

The judge decided Rinnix will stay in jail.

Robinson and Talbert's attorneys asked for their detention hearings to be pushed back so they too will remain in jail.

Robinson's parents traveled from Alabama to be in court. They didn't want to talk on camera but told Eyewitness News after court they will be there for their daughter.

Authorities say that some of the stolen money had a GPS tracker on it and that's how police were able to follow the suspects.