ANDERSON, Ind. —
Police in three agencies are exploring a possible connection between a bank robbery Wednesday morning and two other incidents over the past week.
A masked man armed with a handgun held up the Ameriana Bank branch on Anderson’s south side at about 9:30 a.m. and escaped with an undisclosed amount of money, according to police reports.
Anderson police spokesman Detective Joel Sandefur said the man entered the bank at 1724 E. 53rd Street, went to a teller’s station and showed the teller a note demanding cash, which was placed in his hand. He went to second teller and showed her the note as well, Sandefur said.
Sandefur said there is a “strong connection” between Wednesday’s robbery and two recent robberies in Marion and Kokomo.
“We’re pretty sure we can connect him with those as well,” Sandefur said.
Major Brian Selvon of the Kokomo Police Department also said he suspects there’s a connection with the three incidents. He said the thief in a Kokomo robbery in late December also wore an old mask to alter his appearance.
The man didn’t make any threats or point a weapon at anyone, but it was clear he was armed, Sandefur said.
Witnesses told police the man was white, approximately 5 feet 9 inches with a heavy build. He was wearing dark colored clothing and a baseball cap. He was wearing an old man’s mask to disguise his appearance.
The man left the bank and drove away in a dark two-door Chevrolet, possibly a late 1990s or early 2000s Cavalier, Sandefur said.
He was last seen driving eastbound on 53rd Street at Scatterfield Road before witnesses lost sight of him in traffic.
Indiana State Police stopped a vehicle matching the description of the getaway car on Interstate 69 at the 219 mile marker. The driver was questioned, but later cleared of an involvement in the robbery, Sandefur said.
Reporter Jack Molitor contributed to this story.
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The Ameriana Bank at 1724 East 53rd Street in Anderson was robbed about 9:30 a.m. Wednesday morning. John P. Cleary
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