A 25-year-old Roy man was arrested after allegedly trying to rob a local credit union with a note threatening a bomb, then running from officers who tracked him down nearby. Brad Porter Halverson now faces a second-degree felony theft charge along with obstruction of justice and failure to stop at the command of law enforcement.
According to KMYU, Halverson walked into the America First Credit Union in Roy, handed the teller his own identification, and asked them to check his account balance. He was told he had no money in his account, the outlet reported, citing an affidavit. He then presented a note demanding as much cash as possible within 30 seconds.
Per the affidavit-based account relayed by KMYU, the note also threatened to blow up the building, claiming Halverson had a bomb attached to a gas line and a gun. The report notes Halverson later told investigators he changed his mind and did not want to threaten anyone after presenting that note. He ultimately admitted to stealing the money, per the same account, and said he intended to give it to an ex-girlfriend.
Officers Catch Him Mid-Change of Clothes
Roy City Police Department officers were alerted to the robbery Monday and searched the area after arriving at the bank and obtaining a photo of Halverson, the station's report states. Halverson ran after spotting officers, according to the affidavit-based facts in the KMYU report, but an officer stopped him before he could get far.
When officers caught up with him, Halverson was in the process of changing out of a large black jacket, the report notes. He was found in possession of a tube containing $1,230 in cash. The affidavit-based account also indicates Halverson said he intended to take his own life. He was transported to an area hospital before being booked into Weber County Jail.
A Credit Union With a History of Robbery Attempts
This is not the first time the America First Credit Union branch in Roy has drawn police attention. In October 2014, a man robbed the same institution without displaying a weapon, telling a teller, “I'm here to rob you. I'm serious,” before leaving on foot, according to ksl.com.
Five years later, in October 2019, 18-year-old William Anthony Perez III was arrested after allegedly robbing an America First Credit Union location inside a Roy Harmons grocery store, telling police he did it “to pay bills and debts,” per Gephardt Daily. Officers reportedly found a black BB handgun on him along with a large amount of cash. A separate attempted robbery at an America First Credit Union in nearby Layton ended differently, with the cashier refusing to hand over any money and the suspect fleeing on foot, according to abc4.com.
Halverson's case remains in its early stages, and the booking details, court proceedings, and any statement from his legal representation have not been made public in the information released so far.
