Police warn of armed man robbing ATM users
LAWRENCE, Ind. (WISH) – Police are asking for the public’s help to catch a dangerous thief before his armed attacks turn deadly.
The Lawrence Police Department on Friday warned the public about a serial armed robber on the loose.
Lawrence Deputy Police Chief Gary Woodruff said a man is targeting ATMs at a Chase Bank at 42nd Street and Franklin Road.
Woodruff said the man, described as a thin black male in his mid-20s, has robbed multiple people at gunpoint while they were withdrawing cash from the ATMs three days this week.
News 8 was at the bank Friday and informed customers of the serial robber.
“Oh s***!” said customer T. White.
“Really? Oh my God!” said customer Denise Stone.
Car after car after car, customers were shocked to hear their busy bank had been the target of a violent thief.
“The suspect stayed just behind the building to the north here and literally ran up when someone pulled up into the ATM and started to get cash out. Robber just ran right up on them and demanded money,” said Woodruff.
Woodruff said the suspect has robbed people at gunpoint at ATMs at the same Chase branch three times this week, twice taking cash.
The third victim drove off.
The crimes all happened between midnight and 3 a.m.
“It’s a life-threatening situation for them. Thankfully nobody has been hurt, yet,” said Woodruff.
Woodruff said after that after each robbery, the man ran away, climbed over a fence and hopped into a car parked at a nearby apartment complex.
“That’s scary,” said customer Chris Harris. “Having a gun, taking my money and stuff like that that I worked for. Wow!”
“I won’t be coming back to this bank,” said White. “This neighborhood is ridiculous now. I’ve been up here 10 years. This is the first time this stuff has happened. This is the only Chase near me, too.”
As Lawrence police look for the suspect, police are beefing up security around the bank.
“The likelihood of this individual continuing to do this until he gets caught is very high,” said Woodruff. “We just want to prevent either another robbery, or worse yet, something going awry and somebody getting hurt.”
Lawrence police told News 8 they were waiting Friday on surveillance video from the Chase Bank branch.
Meanwhile, police urge anyone who uses the ATMs at that bank branch to be on high alert. If you are approached by a man matching this description, comply with his demands, give him the money and then call police immediately, Woodruff said.
If you know anything about these robberies, you’re encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 317-262-TIPS.
