Full Notification

Re: Robbery at Farmers State Bank Ashley Indiana

On June 15th at approximately 8:30 A.M. an armed robbery was reported at the Farmers State Bank in Ashley. The suspect(s) parked a vehicle (a blue 2000 Ford Explorer) at the rear entrance/exit of the bank and entered into the bank from the rear north doors. Once inside a handgun was displayed towards tellers and money was demanded. The suspects then fled out of the bank through the same north rear doors and to the blue Ford Explorer. A witness observed the suspect(s), called 911 and began following a short distance. The suspects traveled through the alley and to CR 400 W where they traveled northbound. The suspects traveled north on CR 400 W to Golden Lake Road then eastbound on west Fox Lake Road where they pulled down a lane near a private lake where the Ford Explorer was abandoned. An alert property owner called law enforcement when they observed the abandoned Ford Explorer parked on their property. The vehicle has been recovered and a search warrant is expected. The Steuben County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public to look at the suspect vehicle photographs and report to us if they observed that vehicle or its occupants in the Ashley area, on CR. 400 W, Golden Lake Road and/or Fox Lake Road this morning. It is believed the suspects had another vehicle they got into upon leaving the blue Ford Explorer abandoned down the lane off of west Fox Lake Road. We are also asking that anyone who may have witnessed unusual activity or driving behavior in those areas this morning regardless of vehicle description to also call. Please call the Sheriff’s Office via communications at 260-665-3131 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-600-4258 or 260-668-STOP (7867).

The entire incident is being investigated by the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office, the Ashley Police Department and the Indiana State Police. The investigation is continuing as Investigators are currently following many leads. No patrons were inside the bank during the robbery and no Farmers State Bank employees were injured. An undetermined amount of cash was taken.

Agencies involved include: Steuben County Sheriff’s Office, Ashley Police Department, Indiana State Police, Hamilton Police Department, Orland Police Department, Angola City Police, Indiana Department of Natural Resources Enforcement Division, and the LaGrange County Sheriff’s Office.