UPDATE
On Tuesday July 31st, 2018 at approximately 3:17 pm, a male subject entered 1st Source Bank, 3905 Franklin St. Michigan City, IN. He announced he is robbing the bank and demanded money from a teller. The suspect instructed the teller to hurry up with this demand, before he starts shooting, in which the teller complied. The suspect fled with an undetermined amount of currency with no one physically hurt during this robbery.
Approximately and hour later a Chase Bank was robbed in Portage, IN. The Portage Police Patrol shift located the suspect vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. Without incident, three individuals were taken into custody.
Michigan City Detectives traveled to the Portage Police Department after it was determined that the suspect that robbed our First Source Bank was in custody.
Joint interviews took place with Detectives from Michigan City Police, Portage Police, and the FBI. Information gained from these interviews, led to the arrest of two of the individuals on multiple charges. (One adult male and one 17-year-old male).
The adult male Jason Cheek age 41, of Michigan City was charged with yesterday’s 1st Source Bank robbery in Michigan City, and additionally the Chase Bank robbery in Portage shortly afterwards.
In addition, Cheek will be charged with the Chase Bank robbery that occurred on June 5th, 2018 in Michigan City.
The FBI Merrillville Office will take charge of these robbery investigations and work with the local law enforcement detectives.
Chief Mark Swistek would like to personally thank the FBI, all officers and detectives involved especially Detective Corporal Tim Baker and the quick actions of the officers and detectives from Portage Police, bringing this multijurisdictional spree to a safe and successful conclusion.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.