Suspect in bank-robbery spree charged in federal court

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Bank surveillance photos show a man who is believed to have robbed banks in Lansing, Ill.; Munster, Ind.; South Bend, Ind.; and an armed robbery in Toledo, Ohio. | Photos courtesy of the FBI

Updated: March 18, 2012 8:17AM

A Michigan man arrested in Kentucky a week ago in connection with bank robberies and purse snatchings in Northwest Indiana has been charged in federal court.

Beaver Bernard Russell, 47, of Benton Harbor, Mich., was charged Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Hammond with two counts of bank robbery by force. One of the counts is related to the robbery of a Fifth Third Bank in Munster on Jan. 12. The other was connected to a robbery of a Mutual Bank in South Bend on Jan. 5.

Officials believe Russell is connected to a larger crime spree, however, including five other bank robberies across Illinois, Wisconsin, Kentucky and Ohio. He’s also suspected of snatching purses from five people, at the Majestic Star Casino in Gary, Cabela’s in Hammond, Wal-Mart in Michigan City and Westfield Southlake mall in Hobart, plus the armed robbery of a student at Kaplan College in Hammond, according to a release from the FBI.

One of the purse-snatching victims at the casino suffered a brain injury when she was pulled against Russell’s vehicle, according to a release. The suspect would steal the purses by driving by women as they were walking, according to the release.

Police say Russell was arrested after he robbed two banks in Kentucky on Feb. 9 and got involved in a police chase. His car flipped several times in a median, and he was arrested. He has admitted to the bank robberies, purse snatchings and the armed robbery, according to the release.

Court records do not say when an initial appearance is scheduled. Russell was taken to Boone County (Ky.) Jail after he was arrested.