KWES NewsWest 9 / Midland, Odessa, Big Spring, TX: newswest9.com | Search for Bank Robber Spans Across Two Cities

Nick Lawton
NewsWest 9

MIDLAND/ODESSA - Suspect Mark David Willman allegedly robbed a Bank of America in Midland in the 4300 block of N. Garfield Street, just before 4 p.m. Thursday.

But that was only the start.

He wouldn't be found by police for another seven hours and NewsWest 9 started on his trail.

A woman claiming to know Willman gave NewsWest 9 his name on our Facebook page before it was released by police.

After a search of our own, NewsWest 9 uncovered Willman's Facebook page, matching his profile pictures with those taken from the bank's security cameras.

The commenter claimed Willman allegedly lived with her relative at Apartment 217 of the Chaparral Apartments.

According to the arrest affidavit, that was where police searched first, finding the gray sweatshirt Willman was wearing in the bank and notes thrown in the trash saying: "This is a Robbery" and "Don't Use Dye Packs."

NewsWest 9 stopped by Apartment 217 but no one was home.

Another tip came to our newsroom that Willman was arrested at Royal Inn off W. 2nd Street in Odessa.

The hotel manager and owner told NewsWest 9 it was Room 205 that was rented out to someone at 5 p.m. Thursday afternoon.

It's the same room they claim that police came knocking at 11 p.m. Thursday night.

They weren't far off in their guesses.

The affidavit stated police arrived at the room just before 10:30 p.m., following another tip and knocked.

No one answered but after looking through the window, police allegedly saw Willman lying on the bed with two large stacks of cash.

They went down to the office for the key.

NewsWest 9 asked the hotel manager if police then searched the room.

"I inside. I don't know," Hotel Manager, Bhanu Patel, said. "I only give register card, key."

Willman was then apprehended.

On Friday, his initial hearing was at the federal courthouse.

NewsWest 9 was the only T.V. news station present as he was charged with the bank robbery.

If convicted, Willman faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

After a police search spanning two cities, Willman's next preliminary hearing is scheduled for February 15th at 9:15 a.m.