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One man is in custody and another arrest is expected in connection with the July 24 robbery of a Pierceton bank.
On Monday, members of the U.S. Safe Streets Team - an FBI multi-jurisdictional task force - and detectives from the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department apprehended Lorenzo "Lonnie" Wood, 31, of Gary, on a federal warrant for the robbery of Lake City Bank. He was taken into custody at the Gary Parole Office in downtown Gary.
According to information released this morning, Wood broke into the Lake City Bank in Pierceton and waited for the bank to open the morning of July 24. He then robbed the opening teller of an undisclosed amount of money, stole the teller's vehicle and fled the area. Wood was reportedly armed with an ax during the alleged robbery.
The teller's car was later recovered near Regency Pointe Estates, a mobile home park outside Pierceton, and Wood apparently returned to Gary after the alleged robbery.
Because the robbery suspect was wearing clothing covering skin that would otherwise be exposed, witnesses were not able to provide the race of the suspect or estimate an age for the man.
Kosciusko County Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine said detectives Travis Marsh and J.D. Ayres should be commended for the outstanding police work done in this case.
The two KCSD detectives developed the information that led to the issuance of a federal warrant in the case. Wood reportedly was hiding in the Gary area since the incident, but allegedly has been in contact with an accomplice living in Kosciusko County.
Local charges will be filed against the alleged accomplice, with an arrest expected by the end of the week, officials said.
