After Two Years, LG Man Indicted For Bank Robbery

A Washington County grand jury indicted 53-year-old Shawn Patrick Childers of La Grange for the aggravated robbery of the Burton State Bank two years ago.

Texas Ranger Lt. Jeff Wolf and Lt. Mark Whidden of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office arrested Childers on Thursday, May 28, at his place of employment, La Grange Ice.

Childers stands accused of robbing the Burton State Bank at gunpoint on June 7, 2018. On that day, bank surveillance video showed a man wearing a cowboy hat, sunglasses and face mask leave the bank and flee in a white pickup truck. Washington County District Attorney Julie Renken said $12,000 was taken from the bank. None of that money was recovered, she said.

Renken said investigators developed Childers as a suspect after numerous interviews and a look into his financial history. She said he had been a suspect since about two weeks after the bank robbery.

“The amount of legwork that went into this indictment and arrest is unbelievable,” Renken said. “(Wolf and Whidden) poured so many miles and hours into identifying Childers. The citizens of Washington County should be proud of the work done.

“This case is not finished,” she added. “My office is now taking it over for prosecution. However, I hope the citizens can feel some vindication already, putting a name and face to this crime.”

Aggravated robbery is a first degree felony. Childers faces five to 99 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine if convicted.

Childers remained in custody at the Washington County Jail as of Friday, May 29. A mugshot of Childers released by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office shows some bruising and scratches around his right eye.

Renken said Childers had that injury before he was arrested.