Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
LEESBURG - Shots were fired at alleged bank robbers this morning as police pursued the suspects' vehicle.
Two men allegedly armed with M-16 rifles reportedly entered the Leesburg branch of National City Bank about 10:30 a.m. today.
According to police radio traffic, Milford Town Marshal Dave Hobbs fired at the suspect vehicle after a passenger in the pickup allegedly displayed an M-16. Hobbs told dispatchers that he shot out the driver's side and front windows of the vehicle. Both the driver and passenger were allegedly wearing bulletproof vests and camouflage clothing.
The suspects left the bank westbound from Leesburg in a red van that was later found abandoned and on fire in a wooded area. The suspects were reportedly in a burgundy pickup when Hobbs encountered them. The passenger reportedly was crouched down in the pickup before rising into view with the weapon displayed.
No information was available as to whether the alleged robbers took any money in the robbery. Officers were continuing attempts to locate the suspects using both tracking dogs and an Indiana State Police helicopter.
The suspects were last seen in the northern part of Kosciusko County and are believed to have crossed into Elkhart County.
ISP was setting up a command post for the robbery investigation at the Nappanee Airport at press time today.
