GASTONIA, N.C. — A man is accused of robbing a Gastonia bank on Thursday.
Derek Mathis was taken into custody after the robbery at CommunityOne Bank on South New Hope Road.
Shortly after the robbery, police surrounded a house on South Chestnut Street. Police cars were bumper-to-bumper in the quiet community.
Police said they came to the home because of the SUV that the robbery suspect drove away in.
The vehicle belongs to a woman who is dating the suspect's brother.
“I let him take it here because I had to go to work,” Corey Nolen said.
She said she didn't know her SUV was used in a robbery until she got a phone call, saying her 15-month-old needed help because the adults at home with him were now in police custody.
She’s angry at Mathis.
“I think it was wrong and very upsetting, disrespectful,” Corey said.
Police said Mathis dropped off the SUV and got a ride to a house on Osceola Street, which is where they found him. They said his pockets were stuffed with wads of stolen money.
None of the friends or family members who were handcuffed, searched or questioned were arrested in connection with the bank robbery.