Richland Bank Robbery Suspect Arrested During Bike Theft Investigation

(Richland, WA) -- A man wanted for allegedly robbing a Chase Bank in Richland is now under arrest, but it was a separate incident that actually brought him in. Area authorities were investigating a bike theft when they when they took 25-year-old Nelson Geovanni Mejia into custody.

Mejia is accused of waiting in line before slipping a note to a bank teller and demanding an unspecified amount of money back in January. After receiving the cash, he allegedly fled from the scene in a light-colored SUV. Since then, detectives have been on the trail. They received confirmation of forensic analysis that solidified Mejia as the primary suspect. Some time after, West Richland police made contact with Mejia while responding to reports of a bike theft.

Mejia was subsequently arrested on charges of first degree Robbery, Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, and Theft. He's currently lodged in Benton County Jail on investigative hold with bail of $750,000.