Suspect in Munster bank robbery nabbed in Kentucky

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Beaver Bernard Russell, 47, of Benton Harbor, Mich., is accused of holding up seven banks.

Updated: February 13, 2012 4:51PM

A man who traveled cross country to rob seven banks — and to violently steal purses from women in Northwest Indiana parking lots — has been captured in Kentucky after robbing two banks there.

Beaver Bernard Russell, 47, of Benton Harbor, Mich., was being sought in connection with bank robberies in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin, and was also believed responsible for five purse snatchings and one armed robbery in Northwest Indiana, all since Dec. 18, 2011, a release from the Indianapolis FBI said.

But Russell’s crime spree came to a screeching halt on Feb. 9 after he committed two bank robberies in Kentucky, one in Walton and another in Florence. After the second robbery, deputies with the Boone County Sheriff’s office spotted the wanted vehicle and began a pursuit. Speeds reached 130 mph during the chase and stop sticks were deployed, the release said.

Russell’s vehicle flipped in the median several times and he tried to get out to run away, but was apprehended at the scene by deputies. Taken to the Boone County Jail, he is being held on Kentucky charges related to the vehicle pursuit and the bank robberies there, the release said.

While incarcerated, Russell was interviewed by FBI agents and admitted to robbing seven banks, as well as five purse snatchings and the armed robbery of a student at Kaplan College in Hammond, the release said.

The bank robberies occurred Jan. 5 in South Bend; Jan. 9 at the US Bank in Lansing, Ill.; Jan. 12 at the Fifth Third Bank in Munster; Jan. 26 in Toledo, Ohio; and Feb. 7 in Pleasant Prairie, Wis.

The purse snatchings happened at the Majestic Star Casino in Gary; Cabela’s in Hammond; Wal-Mart in Michigan City; and Southlake Mall in Hobart, the release said.

In all five purse snatchings, the victims were injured. Two happened at the casino, where one victim suffered a brain injury when she was pulled against Russell’s vehicle, and another victim suffered a leg injury when she was knocked down and run over, the release said.

The crimes were committed by driving past the victims in the parking lot and grabbing their purses. The same car was used in each of the crimes, ultimately leading to the arrest.

Federal charges are being pursued through the U.S. Attorney’s office in Hammond, with the FBI offices in Chicago, Cleveland, Milwaukee and Louisville, and several local police departments assisting.