Suspects ID'd In Brazen East Chicago, Ind. Bank Robbery
(STMW) -- A couple wanted for robbing a Northwest Indiana bank Saturday may be in the Chicago area with their young children, according to the FBI.
Jeremiah Ellis and Ashley Patterson, of the 4800 block of Homerlee Avenue in East Chicago, were named in warrants issued in federal court in the Northern District of Indiana on Thursday, a statement from the FBI said.
Both had handguns when they entered the First Merchants Bank at 4740 Indianapolis Boulevard in East Chicago, Ind., according to a federal criminal complaint.
Ellis went to the counter to get cash drawers while Patterson held the bank customers and a security guard at gunpoint, the complaint alleges.
The two fled in a late-model Chevrolet Tahoe. They are now believed to be in the Chicago area with their two young children, according to the FBI.
When East Chicago police pursued the vehicle immediately after the robbery, a passenger got out, turned, and began firing at an officer, Chief of Police Mark Becker told the Post-Tribune.
That officer pulled over and the suspect got back in the SUV. The suspects' vehicle continued for two blocks until the passenger leaned out of the SUV and began shooting at a second squad car, Becker said.
"I have 32 years with the FBI. This is very unusual," Becker said. "The robbery, first of all, was armed and then to have shots fired makes it elevated. But to stop the vehicle and get out like you want to engage the police, that is very brazen, very unusual. I have never heard of that in my 32 years."
No one was injured. Becker said officers did not return fire because the chase took place in a residential neighborhood.
Ellis and Patterson are considered armed and dangerous, according to the FBI.
Anyone with information should call local police or the FBI at (312) 421-6700.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2014. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)