BLOOMINGTON – A suspect has been arrested following a bank robbery at the Jackson County Bank on September 24, 2024. Officers from the Bloomington Police Department responded to a hold-up alarm at approximately 11:47 a.m. at the bank located at 2421 South Walnut Street.
Upon arrival, officers learned that a man wearing a face mask had robbed the bank shortly before their arrival. According to bank employees, the male approached the counter and handed a note instructing the employee to act normal and give him money. After receiving cash, the male suspect fled the scene on foot, heading east from the bank.
Investigators quickly identified a possible escape route from the bank to the Timber Ridge Apartments. Surveillance footage revealed a vehicle that appeared to be involved in the robbery. Utilizing Flock license plate readers, police tracked the vehicle’s movements and identified its owners.
On September 26, officers located the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop. However, the male suspect was not found in the car then. Further investigation identified him as 44-year-old Charles L. Strevels.
A search warrant was executed at Strevels’ residence on September 26, but he was not there. Subsequently, an arrest warrant was issued for his arrest on September 27.
On October 2, Strevels contacted the lead detective and requested to meet with officers to turn himself in. Police located him at Bloomfield Road and Patterson Drive, where he was taken into custody without incident.
Following an interview, Strevels was transported to the Monroe County Jail, where he was remanded to custody on charges of robbery, a Level 5 felony.
The investigation is ongoing as police gather additional information about the incident.
Those facing criminal charges are considered innocent unless convicted through due legal proceedings. Accusations alone do not imply guilt; the judicial system will evaluate the presented evidence to reach a verdict.
