One of the saddest “traditions” of Christmas comes when desperate people turn to crime within days of the holiday across the nation. Such was apparently the situation earlier today when Benton Township Police Detectives were called to the scene of an armed robbery at the Horizon Bank branch on Napier Avenue across from the Fairplain Plaza.
Police tape and multiple squad cars surrounded the branch early this afternoon at 1041 E. Napier Avenue as social media began to light up with word that the bank had been robbed.
Authorities from Benton Township earlier confirmed that there had, in fact, been a robbery at that branch, but provided no other information as technicians continued to process the crime scene, until they provided these details late this afternoon:
The suspect is an unidentified black male wearing a hat, a light colored jacket and dark pants. He was indicating he was in possession of an explosive device
His weapon was an implied pear shaped explosive device
Benton Township Det. Lt. Brian Smit and his department were assisted at the scene by the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department, Michigan State Police, and the Federal Bureau of Investigations
Bank employees reported just minutes before noon that an unidentified black male entered the bank, placing a pear shaped object onto the teller counter demanding money or he would detonate an explosive device.
The male was able to obtain an undisclosed amount of currency and fled the bank on foot in a northern direction down Reeder Street. The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department K-9 conducted a track but did not locate the suspect. No one was injured during the incident. No one has been identified or arrested at this time, and the incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Benton Township Police Department (269)925-1135 or Crime Stoppers (574)288-STOP.
Police released this surveillance photo:
Armed robbers also struck Meijer of Stevensville shortly after midnight, fleeing the store with multiple electronic devices and other items when confronted by store personnel. That story can be found on Moody on the Market at this link:
https://www.moodyonthemarket.com/four-armed-robbers-hit-stevensville-meijer-in-post-midnight-spree/
