Police: Teen bank robbers use money for drugs, spring break Florida trip
HENDRICKS COUNTY, Ind. (WISH) – Police in Plainfield say they’ve arrested two juveniles and one adult for four recent Hendricks County bank robberies.
The trio robbed several banks in the county dating back to March. Detectives say they used the money for clothes, drugs and a spring break trip to Florida.
The two juveniles, ages 16 and 17, have not been named, but police said one is male and the other is female. Kyle Rhoades, 18, was identified as the adult suspect.
“I like it that they’ve been caught.” Barbara Lawson said.
Lawson is a customer of the First National Bank on Main Street in Plainfield. She also cuts hair at The Headquarters Barbershop across the street.
“I was hoping that the people who were in there were safe, and no one got hurt.” Lawson added.
Plainfield Police Department Detective Lt. Jeff Stephens spoke to 24-Hour News 8 about the crimes.
“The female [suspect] was babysitting her 2-year-old and 5-year-old sisters and had them in the vehicle, in the get-away vehicle from the robbery.” Stephens said. “They just came up with a note. There was no weapon involved; they didn’t show a weapon. They didn’t imply they had a weapon, they were just given money and left the bank.”
Police put a security picture out on social media and asked for the public’s help. The tips came flooding in and police traced Rhoades to an apartment complex where the grandmother of one of the teens helped turn him in.
Police said Rhoades, who was known to them is not answering their questions, but the other two teens admitted to their roles in the robberies. Detectives say Rhoades had a stack of money in his pocket when he was arrested. The serial numbers on several of the bills matched those that were stolen, police say.
