GIDDINGS, Texas – Four people were arrested in Giddings after being accused of stealing tens of thousands of dollars from an ATM and leading multiple agencies on a car chase that crossed into another county.

The suspects are John Cook, 24; Zachary Walker, 25; Treshun Green, 20; and Jaemeel Davis, 29.

This started at Classic Bank in Giddings at around 11:21am on Tuesday, November 12.

Lee County Sheriff Garrett Durrenberger said the suspects, one of whom was masked, approached an ATM technician, pushed him down and began taking the money before walking off with about $30,000.

Durrenberger saw them while the officer was relaying information. He tried to pull them over, but they kept driving.

“It was like ‘Dukes of Hazzard.’ While I was chasing these guys, I was calling the elementary school and asking them to quarantine because I thought they were going to get away in the super-enclave. I was just thinking: Kids at recess, suspects with guns. Thank God everything went well,” he said.

He said evidence was found in the car.

“They go into a bank drawer, an ATM. These things fly away. Money flies around these neighborhoods and highways. These things have since been recovered,” Durrenberger said.

Giddings police attempted to block the car, but they drove around and continued traveling eastbound on Hwy 290 at 120 mph.

Other agencies joined in and the suspects broke in. Fayette Countythen we returned to Giddings. Giddings police eventually threw out the spike strips and the car crashed at East Austin Street and James Turman Road.

One of the suspects fled into the field but was caught. All four were arrested on charges of organized criminal activity.

Cook and Walker were also charged with evading arrest, and Davis also had a fugitive warrant, records show. Walker and Davis are from Beaumont, and Green is from Humble.

Durrenberger says if you rob someone, Lee County law enforcement will come for you. He thought about the chase.

“When the call comes, you’re face to face with the sheriff. It was like a Western scene. It was beautiful. Then they ran and were very, very thankful no one was hurt,” he said.

Giddings police said the suspects were involved in a vehicle burglary in Austin that same morning.

Around 9:49 a.m., officers responded to the 7300 block of Menchaca Road, Austin police said. The victim’s belongings were taken from his damaged car.

Authorities’ work on the investigation continues.