By Shawn McGrath, Herald Bulletin Staff Writer
PENDLETON — Investigators believe a man responsible for holding up a Pendleton bank last month is responsible for robbing four others in east-central Indiana, with the most recent happening Tuesday.
Rushville Police Chief Ron Cameron said a white male armed with a handgun and standing between 5 feet 8 and 5 feet 10 with a medium build held up First Financial Bank in Rushville at about 2 p.m.
Cameron said four employees were inside the bank at the time of the robbery, but no shots were fired and there were no injuries. The police chief said the man fled the downtown business on foot in an unknown direction. No arrests have been made.
But investigators believe the latest holdup is only the latest for a man suspected of being responsible for four others, including the Dec. 16 robbery of M & I Bank, 115 W. State St., in Pendleton.
“We’re sure it’s all the same guy,” Cameron said.
In the Pendleton robbery, a white male wearing a dark-colored hooded sweatshirt and wearing a mask or piece of clothing over his face robbed the bank while armed with a handgun. The man was able to make off with an undisclosed amount of money.
The man’s method and apparel are similar in each of the robberies. He’s also suspected of driving a dark-colored Dodge Neon car, according to the Indiana State Police.
“We definitely believe it’s the same person,” Pendleton Police Chief Marc Farrer said. “His clothing is the same and the way he’s doing it is the same.”
Have a tip?
Anyone with information about a string of mostly east-central Indiana bank robberies should contact the Indiana State Police at (800) 437-7159 or (800) 527-4752.
The robberies
• Dec. 10: Owen Community Bank, 279 E. Morgan St., Spencer
• Dec. 15: First Financial Bank, 101 W. Washington St., Hartford City
• Dec. 16: M & I Bank, 115 W. State St., Pendleton
• Jan. 7: First Merchants Bank, 107 W. Union St., Liberty
• Tuesday: First Financial Bank, 327 N. Main St., Rushville
— Pendleton, Rushville and Indiana State Police
