Suspect in custody following robbery at Sanborn Savings Bank
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Law enforcement authorities took a suspect into custody after a reported bank robbery in Sanborn Monday afternoon.
Word was received that Sanborn Savings Bank was robbed shortly after 1:00 p.m. on January 22 a black male entered the bank and gave the teller a note saying “This is a robbery” and demanded cash. No weapons were displayed. The subject got away with an undetermined amount of cash and left on foot. Within the hour, law enforcement officers from various agencies converged on a residence just southwest of Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Middle School in Sanborn at 201 West 5th Street. An Iowa State hostage negotiator was brought in. According to O’Brien County Sheriff Bruce Devereaux, law enforcement was able to apprehend suspect Del Martinnez Evans, Jr., age 40, who was taken into custody after the brief standoff at his home and booked into the O’Brien County Jail on charges of Robbery 2nd Degree and Theft 2nd Degree – $1500-$10000. He was booked in to the O’Brien County Jail on a $15,000 bond.
HMS Superintendent Patrick Carlin said that around 1:15 p.m. on Monday the Middle School was notified by local law enforcement that a situation had transpired in the MS neighborhood. “In an abundance of caution, they advised the school to lock down while the situation was being resolved,” said Carlin. “Law enforcement was onsite the entire time of the lock down to ensure an even higher level of safety. At approximately 2:30 p.m. the district was notified that the situation was resolved. The district is grateful for the communication and quick action of our law enforcement, administration, staff, and students. Safety is always the highest priority of the district and we appreciate the partnership and collaboration with our local law enforcement.”
Sanborn Christian also went into a lock down situation Monday afternoon. “We were notified in person by an Iowa State Patrol officer, in conjunction with the O’Brien County Sheriff’s Office around 1:15 / 1:20 p.m.,” said school administrator Anthony Minderhoud. “I received a phone call from the O’Brien County Sheriff’s Office around 2:30 p.m. that the suspect had been apprehended, and therefore we lifted the lock down shortly afterwards following the advice from the Sheriff’s Department.”