Belle Bank Robbery Suspect Arrested

BELLE, WV — Following an extensive investigation, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office has charged Richard Donald Brisson in connection with the June 4, 2026 bank robbery of Whitesville State Bank located in Belle, West Virginia.

Investigators allege Brisson entered the bank and presented a handwritten note demanding money from bank employees.

Following the robbery, Deputy B.L. Shamblin and K9 Bingo conducted a track from the bank. The track led investigators to 114 East Dupont Avenue, where deputies recovered black clothing, a hat, glasses, and a wig believed to have been worn by the suspect during the robbery based on surveillance footage.

Additional neighborhood surveillance footage allegedly showed Brisson in the area prior to the robbery wearing black clothing matching the items recovered during the K9 track. Investigators also observed Brisson later accompanied by his girlfriend, identified as Shana Pettry.

On June 8, 2026, Brisson was arrested on an outstanding Kanawha County Magistrate Court Capias and was incarcerated at South Central Regional Jail.

During an interview conducted on June 10, 2026, Shana Pettry allegedly admitted to writing the robbery note for Brisson and stated that she had resided with him at the address where the K9 track concluded near the end of May 2026.

Anybody that is arrested is to be presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.