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Man held on robbery, kidnapping charges

A Madera man is in custody on felony charges of kidnapping, criminal conspiracy and attempted robbery after allegedly trying to force a resident into withdrawing cash from his bank account, according to Madera Police Sgt. Daniel Foss.

Bobby Tyrone Tidwell, Jr, 27, was arrested at the scene. A second male suspect in the incident was arrested a few days later.

The event occurred midday Monday and briefly stopped operations at the Bank of America on Yosemite Avenue. Six to eight police cars descended on the location after receiving an emergency call about men with guns preparing to rob the bank.

Foss said the bank was not robbed but the victim was taken to the bank by two armed men and then after threats of violence forced to go inside to withdrawn money, as the suspects waited outside. Three other acquaintances were reportedly in the vehicle with Tidwell and but they were not currently charged.

“The victim went inside but did not withdraw any money,” Foss said. “He did the right thing and told a teller someone outside was trying to rob him. The teller then called us. We believe the suspects knew the victim and they knew he had come into some money.”

Tidwell is likely to receive significant prison time if convicted, Foss said, due to his long criminal history and lengthy arrest record.

According to police records, Tidwell had been arrested and released just the week before on charges of robbery after another victim had allegedly been robbed during a setup involving a prostitute. Records show Tidwell also has had multiple arrests on weapons and other charges in 2013.

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