Thwarted bank robber, also failed at purse snatching
By: Nancy Cook
Updated: July 13, 2012
SHREVEPORT - A man who allegedly tried to rob a bank, and when that didn't work, snatched the purse of a woman who just happened to be walking down the street when he departed from the bank is behind bars tonight, after being chased down by a pair of witnesses and an off-duty officer.
Johnny Jackson, 38, was taken into custody after quite a romp through the streets of Shreveport.
It all began just before noon today (July 13, 2012), when Shreveport Police patrol officers were dispatched to a reported attempted bank robbery at Regions Bank in the 300 block of Texas Street. At the very same time, a call regarding a woman being robbed of her purse in the same area came in to dispatchers.
Upon arrival, officers discovered two male suspects entered the bank where one of them approached a teller with a note demanding money. For some reason, the suspects left the business without receiving any cash.
Once outside of the bank, one of the men, later identified as 38-year-old Johnny Jackson, accosted Karleen Silvertooth, telling her he had a gun and wanted her purse. Silvertooth refused and Jackson attacked her, physically taking her handbag.
Jackson fled the scene of the crime on foot, but not before a concerned citizen observed what was happening and gave chase. With the good samaritan in hot pursuit, Jackson fell down on Milam Street near Market Street where the citizen, assisted by another man, detained him.
Shreveport Police Corporal Jerry Curtis, who was working an off-duty job nearby, heard the ruckus and immediately responded, taking Jackson into custody.
Silvertooth was transported to a local hospital by the Shreveport Fire department with non-life-threatening injuries.
Jackson, who does not have a home address, was booked into the Shreveport City Jail on one count of attempted first degree robbery and one count of second degree robbery.
