Marcus A. Banks-Bey
Marcus Andrew Banks-Bey (born in 1980) is a former U.S. Army chaplain accused of several crimes in California, including a carjacking, a hoax emergency call, and a bank robbery.
Military career and chaplaincy service
Banks-Bey served in the U.S. Army National Guard from 2000 to 2021, completing both enlisted and officer tracks and rising to the rank of Captain and unit Chaplain. He deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve in Syria from November 2017 to April 2018.
Alleged criminal activity
Carjacking in Madera
At approximately 12:50 p.m. on May 9, 2023, Banks-Bey allegedly approached an AT&T employee in a van at the Riverstone business complex in Madera County. According to the Madera County Sheriff's Office, he brandished what appeared to be a firearm—later identified as an airsoft pistol—and attempted to carjack the vehicle. The van’s driver reportedly disarmed Banks-Bey before being pepper-sprayed. Banks-Bey then fled the scene in the stolen van.
Hoax 911 call
Shortly after the carjacking, a 911 call was made, reporting an armed man walking onto the campus of Bullard High School in Fresno. He was seen wearing a mask and gloves during the incident.
Arrest and charges
Banks-Bey was arrested in Fresno, California, on May 9, 2023, following a multi-stage incident. Detectives assigned to the Career Criminal Auto Theft Team (CCATT) in Fresno located the stolen van near Lexington Avenue and Audubon Drive. Banks-Bey allegedly attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended shortly afterward. The police pointed out that the evidence recovered during the arrest connected him to the carjacking, false emergency call, and bank robbery.
Banks-Bey was booked into Fresno County Jail and charged with felony carjacking in Madera County, attempted bank robbery, and falsely reporting an emergency. His bail was set at over $130,000. He is currently an author and actor<ref name":1" /><ref name":0" /> and runs a non-profit—Life Ambassadors International (LAI).
Military career and chaplaincy service
Banks-Bey served in the U.S. Army National Guard from 2000 to 2021, completing both enlisted and officer tracks and rising to the rank of Captain and unit Chaplain. He deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve in Syria from November 2017 to April 2018.
Alleged criminal activity
Carjacking in Madera
At approximately 12:50 p.m. on May 9, 2023, Banks-Bey allegedly approached an AT&T employee in a van at the Riverstone business complex in Madera County. According to the Madera County Sheriff's Office, he brandished what appeared to be a firearm—later identified as an airsoft pistol—and attempted to carjack the vehicle. The van’s driver reportedly disarmed Banks-Bey before being pepper-sprayed. Banks-Bey then fled the scene in the stolen van.
Hoax 911 call
Shortly after the carjacking, a 911 call was made, reporting an armed man walking onto the campus of Bullard High School in Fresno. He was seen wearing a mask and gloves during the incident.
Arrest and charges
Banks-Bey was arrested in Fresno, California, on May 9, 2023, following a multi-stage incident. Detectives assigned to the Career Criminal Auto Theft Team (CCATT) in Fresno located the stolen van near Lexington Avenue and Audubon Drive. Banks-Bey allegedly attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended shortly afterward. The police pointed out that the evidence recovered during the arrest connected him to the carjacking, false emergency call, and bank robbery.
Banks-Bey was booked into Fresno County Jail and charged with felony carjacking in Madera County, attempted bank robbery, and falsely reporting an emergency. His bail was set at over $130,000. He is currently an author and actor<ref name":1" /><ref name":0" /> and runs a non-profit—Life Ambassadors International (LAI).
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