Deshalon Jelks, 35, remains in custody at the Anchorage Correctional Complex, facing multiple felony charges stemming from a February 26 credit union robbery. The Anchorage man, who was under community supervision and wearing an electronic ankle monitor at the time of the alleged offense, is accused of robbing a Credit Union 1 branch while claiming he was armed with “the power and authority of Jesus Christ.” His swift apprehension involved both traditional tracking methods and the context of his ongoing electronic monitoring.
How We Got Here
Jelks’ presence on community supervision meant he was subject to conditions of release, typically including offender tracking via a GPS ankle bracelet. On the evening of February 26, shortly before 6 p.m., investigators reported Jelks entered the Credit Union 1 branch on Debarr Road. Court documents, first reported by KTUU, detail that Jelks handed a teller a note stating: “I have a weapon. And that weapon I am armed with the power and authority of Jesus Christ. Empty the drawer into an envelope do not set off the alarm.” This direct demand for cash initiated the robbery.
What Changed
The teller complied with the demand, providing Jelks with cash in an envelope that contained a crucial bait bill embedded with a tracking device. When this bait bill was removed from the till, it triggered a silent alarm, alerting Anchorage Police Department dispatch. Officers rapidly responded, leveraging the tracker to pinpoint Jelks’ location at a Costco store directly across the street from the credit union. Surveillance footage from the robbery assisted officers in identifying Jelks at the Costco, where he was reportedly wearing the same clothing. A brief confrontation with police resulted in a “large amount” of cash spilling to the floor, including the vital bait bill and its tracking mechanism. Investigators noted that Jelks was wearing an ankle monitor at the time of his apprehension, indicating his active status under community supervision. During his subsequent interview with police, Jelks admitted to entering the credit union and asking for money, reiterating he was “armed with the authority of Jesus Christ” but denying any claim of a literal weapon, according to KTUU.
What Comes Next
Jelks now faces felony charges including first-degree robbery involving use of a weapon, second-degree robbery involving force to compel delivery, and second-degree theft. Significantly for those following offender supervision, he also faces two counts of violating conditions of release. These violations directly pertain to the terms of his electronic monitoring and community supervision. Police reports indicate that a search of Jelks’ phone after his arrest suggested he had been attempting to acquire methamphetamine around the time of the robbery, potentially adding another layer to the court proceedings. As the case moves through the Alaska court system, the violation of his electronic tagging conditions will likely play a role in sentencing, highlighting the challenges and complexities inherent in offender tracking and community supervision programs when individuals are accused of new offenses.
Source: Suspect In Credit Union Robbery Told Teller He Was Armed ‘With Jesus’
Related Resources: Electronic Monitoring for Bail & Pretrial | House Arrest Monitoring Guide | Parole Electronic Monitoring Guide
