Bond lowered for one of two men charged in Durham bank robbery

Javon Cheek, 24, of Durham, was arrested Thursday in the robbery, and Larry Lamar Johnson, 29, surrendered to police early Friday.

Both are charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon and conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon. Cheek also faces charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury.

Police say the men held up the SunTrust bank branch at 2008 E. N.C. Highway 54. A teller was shot in the arm during the robbery but is expected to recover.

“He just walked up and cut the lady in line and said, ‘You need to take my deposit.’ And I said, ‘I’m closed,’ and he walked back and cut the lady again, and he pulled a gun out and said, ‘Hurry up, hurry up,’” a caller to 911 caller said, describing the robbery.

The 911 caller, who appears to be a bank employee, said she jumped behind the counter when the man took out the gun. She said she didn’t believe a lot of money was taken, and the money was not marked so authorities could track it.

The robbers fled with $300, authorities said in court Friday.

A woman who identified herself as Cheek's sister told a District Court judge that he has had mental health issues his whole life. But the judge decided to keep Cheek's bond at $500,000 because of the violent nature of the incident and because Cheek has previously been convicted of fraud and sexual battery.

The same woman spoke for Johnson, saying he has children who rely on him. The judge cut Johnson's bond from $300,000 to $150,000.