Family turned in Cedar Rapids credit union robbery suspect

New details surfaced Monday about how two suspects were caught after the robbery of a Cedar Rapids credit union last week.

Police on Friday arrested Joseph M. Cofield, 22, address unknown, and Tony V. Perez, 31, of 1110 16th Ave. SW, in connection with Thursday's robbery at Community First Credit Union, 1030 Sierra Dr. NE. The arrests came one day after police said a white male handed a teller a note and fled with an undisclosed amount of cash.

Cofield is accused of carrying out the robbery, while Perez acted as a lookout man and get-away driver, according to a criminal complaint filed in Linn County District Court. Both men are charged with second-degree robbery and second-degree theft.

Police allege that Cofield took more than $1,000 from the credit union after passing the note. He confessed to the crime during interrogation, according to court documents.

Police said family members turned Cofield in after they identified him in surveillance photos that were released to the media.

Officers caught up with Perez when they executed a search warrant at his residence Friday. He had the vehicle used during the robbery and later admitted to driving it during the commission of the crime, police said. Investigators said he had more than $1,600 in cash and marijuana at his home, which led to his additional charge of possession of marijuana with intent to deliver.