Member Since: 4/26/2002
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Female bank robber robs same bank 2 times in 2 1/2 weeks
This is one of the top local news stories in the area where I live...
I think its somethin' else.
The Sturgis is Sturgis, MI btw.
Bold female bank robber's luck will run out, police say
Scott Noll, News 3 Reporter
June 6, 2006 - 8:40AM
STURGIS (NEWS 3) - As Sturgis police looked into the city's latest bank robbery, there was a familiar feel for investigators. "Same type of approach. No weapon seen, but threats of 'don't let me harm you' and so forth and 'hand over the money and hit the floor' and off she went," Deputy Chief Dave Ives recounted for News 3.
Familiar, because Sturgis police believe the bandit who robbed the Farmers State Bank Monday morning is the same woman who robbed the same bank May 24th.
"Two times? It took a lot of guts to come back a second time," said Anthony Dudley who works at the car dealership next door to the bank on US-12. Yellow police tape still blocked customers from the bank's front door. "We were all shocked it happened again. All of us started talking, 'oh no, they got hit again,'" said Dudley.
But it's not just neighbors shocked by the bold robber. Deputy Chief Ives says before the woman came to town, Sturgis hadn't had a bank robbery in his 27 years with the department.
"I guess we've been fortunate all these years. There's been bank robberies all around our county and around Southwest Michigan, and even in Indiana, and we've lucked out and not had any," said Ives. "But, our time's come," he added.
The question is, why? Based on surveillance pictures and witness statements, investigators think the woman's maroon and silver Mercury Mountaineer may have Indiana license plates. Sturgis detectives have met with investigators in that state as well as surrounding counties in Michigan, but can't find any links to other robberies.
The motive - and whether the robber lives locally - are questions no one has answers to. "We're still actively investigating, not only the first one, but this one as well," said Ives.
Not wanting to tip their hand, investigators wouldn't say whether or not there are plans to increase patrols around local banks.
But next door, Dudley says they're paying more attention. "Now we are, yes. We'll try to catch her for you now," Dudley said with a laugh.
Police, though, are hoping the woman's next trip to town is in handcuffs. "Eventually your luck's going to run out, especially when you're this bold," predicted Ives. "It would only be a matter of time."
In Monday's robbery, witnesses described the woman as 5-foot-2 to 5-foot-3 with a stocky build. She was wearing a blue and white plaid (possibly flannel) shirt with a hood over her head. The robber was also wearing sunglasses and dark-colored shorts.
She left the bank in a maroon and silver Mercury Mountaineer SUV and headed westbound on US-12.
Anyone with information about the case can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-342-STOP.
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