Hills Bank robbed, suspect charged

Police have charged a man after apprehending him in the third bank robbery in Cedar Rapids this week.

According to police, officers responded to Hills Bank and Trust Company, 240 3rd Ave SE, for a report of a bank robbery at 11:04 a.m. Friday. Police said the suspect, Jacob Allen Mack, 24, fled east from the bank.

With the aid of citizen witnesses who gave officers a suspect description, police were able to take Mack into custody in the parking lot behind Halls Bicycle Company.

He was charged with second-degree robbery, a Class C felony, and interference with official acts Friday afternoon.

Police Chief Wayne Jerman, who responded to the robbery, credited the assistance of the witnesses who gave police a description of the suspect.

'It's quite possible the suspect would not have been captured,” Jerman said.

A Friday afternoon release said police arrived on scene within two minutes of the call. The release said Mack entered the bank and demanded money before fleeing on foot, but no weapon was displayed.

Friday's robbery marks the third in the city this week. On Monday, police investigated a robbery at the Edgewood Road branch of U.S. Bank. On Wednesday, the U.S. Bank on 16th Avenue SW was also robbed. The suspect description from the first two robberies does not match the suspect who is in custody, however, police said they are still investigating any potential connection between the robberies.

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