Warranted and Wanted: Trenchport Bank Robbery Suspect Apprehended at Founder’s Day Festival

By Clarence Boone

Crime & Public Safety Correspondent

TRENCHPORT, AL — A city rattled by a recent armed bank heist found a moment of reckoning late Friday night when Chief of Police Marcus Dawson personally took a fugitive into custody — not in a dark alley or abandoned warehouse, but under the festival lights of Trenchport’s annual Founder’s Day celebration.

Lennox Santiago, 27, wanted on multiple felony charges stemming from the brazen April 9th robbery of Trenchport Trust Bank, was arrested at approximately 10:00 PM on Government Avenue at the Founders Day Festival, where she was spotted manning a booth for Busted Knuckles Garage. Chief Dawson, who was present at the event in uniform, immediately identified Santiago and attempted to detain her.

“She resisted arrest from the jump,” Dawson told the Tribune. “I gave her lawful orders. She spit on my boot, fought me, and refused to walk. I had no choice but to use force.”

According to the official arrest report, Santiago resisted commands, became combative, and had to be taken to the ground by Dawson himself before being cuffed. When she refused to stand, she was physically dragged to the patrol vehicle. Once transported to TPD headquarters, she continued to resist but was ultimately fingerprinted, photographed, and booked without further physical altercation.

Santiago’s arrest follows the execution of a multi-suspect armed robbery that left the city shaken.

On the night of April 9th, Trenchport Trust Bank was breached by three masked individuals — including Santiago, according to police. The suspects forcibly opened teller drawers using a letter opener and crowbar, disabled security systems, and fled with $30,000 in cash. To delay police response, the suspects intentionally rammed their SUV into a power transformer, knocking out electricity across District 1 and temporarily disabling security alerts.

Bank manager Fred Banks recounted the scene two days later with visible frustration.

“They knew what they were doing,” Banks said. “They took the power out, knocked our eyes offline, and hit us fast. That money’s gone. It could’ve been worse, but it’s bad enough.”

The suspects escaped in a damaged, dark-colored SUV. As of this writing, two accomplices remain unidentified and at large. Santiago’s warrant, issued by TPD on April 11, lists charges of armed robbery, criminal conspiracy, property damage, and possession of firearms in restricted zones.

In response to public concern, the Mayor’s Office issued a statement through a press secretary Saturday morning:

“This incident hurts the city, no doubt about it. But the Mayor has given full authorization for the Chief to spare no expense in bringing the rest of these criminals to justice. We're proud of Chief Dawson for his expedious arrest of Santiago.”

The Trenchport Police Department, Trenchport Trust Bank, and the Mayor’s Office have collectively announced a $10,000 reward per suspect through the Crimestoppers confidential tip program, available to any citizen whose information directly results in the arrest of the remaining suspects.

Chief Dawson emphasized the urgency of cooperation:

“Let this arrest be a warning — we will track you down. Whether you’re on the run or at a fair selling wrenches and oil filters. This city’s had enough.”

With Santiago now behind bars and the manhunt still underway, Trenchport remains tense. Crime is on the rise, public trust is brittle, and the city is watching. Closely.

If you have information regarding this incident, contact TPD’s anonymous Crimestoppers line at 1-800-251-CASH.