Cloverdale robbery suspect flees from police in Muncie

Friday, March 27, 2015
Thomas Baker

MUNCIE -- The person of interest in the robbery of Our Community Bank led police on a chase near Muncie Thursday evening.

The Cloverdale bank, located at 102 S. Main St., was robbed Thursday afternoon around 1:30 p.m. Indiana State Police Public Information Officer Sgt. Curt Durnil said Thomas A. Baker, 43, of Cloverdale, was suspected of revealing a handgun hidden in his waistband to the tellers after entering the bank. Police from several agencies in and around Putnam County were searching for Baker, who they believed had headed south after leaving the bank in the early 2000s four-door Saturn seen on the bank's security video.

A press release issued late Thursday night said police had received a tip that Baker might be staying in a hotel in Muncie. ISP Trooper Nick Razor, who was in the area of Fox Ridge Lane and Bethel Avenue, was on his way to check parking lots for the suspect's vehicle when he spotted a car matching Baker's description.

The car had a temporary tag and the driver matched the description of Baker.

Razor tried to stop the car, and Baker took off at a high rate of speed heading west on Bethel Avenue. Baker was unable to make the turn at the intersection of Bethel Avenue and County Road 700 West and crashed into the embankment.

Baker had to be extricated from the vehicle and was transported to IU Health's Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie. His injuries were not life-threatening.

He is under police custody for a warrant out of Randolph County for forgery, a class C felony; and a warrant out of Hendricks County for two counts obtaining a legend drug by fraud, a level 5 and a level 6 felony, and theft, a level 6 felony.

Baker's Indiana Department of Correction records show a history of incarcerations in several counties, including Putnam County, for charges including counterfeiting, forged prescription, theft and various types of fraud.

The cash believed to be taken during the bank robbery was also recovered Thursday. Troopers located a woman who had been visiting with Baker in the area of Days Inn on Everbrook Lane, just off of Fox Ridge Lane.

The press release notes the female was cooperative, surrendered the money and was released. Police do not believe she was connected to the robbery.

The investigation into the bank robbery in Cloverdale is ongoing.

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