 A suspected bank robber from Gilmer County has been found in Alabama, along with a juvenile girl, after he fled the state.
Twenty-two-year-old Matthew Putnam (pictured left) was arrested in Pell City, Alabama yesterday on a fugitive from justice warrant.
He's being held in Clair County, Alabama, waiting extradition to West Virginia.
Putnam's 17-year-old girlfriend, identified as Jillian Keeners, was reported missing from Braxton County about the time he bonded out on his bank robbery charge, indicating she is likely the subject with which he was found.
Matthew Putnam and his 20-year-old brother Timothy allegedly robbed the Bank of Gassaway in Burnsville in February.
The Putnam brothers allegedly rode to the bank on a stolen ATV, wearing helmets and goggles. Witnesses said one suspect brandished a handgun and came across the counter, demanding that the tellers open the cash drawers.
When the tellers complied, they were taken into a back room while the men placed about $20,000 dollars in a backpack.
Fleeing back toward Gilmer County on their ATV, area authorities began a search, including using a State Police helicopter.
While searching on Dusk Camp Road near Stouts Mills, a Gilmer County officer saw a familiar face - Matthew Putnam. He was burning clothes in a burn barrel.
Putnam's brother Timothy was also at the residence. The officer detained the suspects and obtained a search warrant.
The officer said "Inside we found the helmets, muddy coats and the entire $20,620 that was missing from the bank." Other stolen items were discovered, including the ATV which was used for the get-a-way.
The Putnam brothers had a past history of theft arrests.
| 
