by Kevin Lilly
A man who robbed Logansport Savings Bank of $6,000 in cash was sentenced to a two-year prison term.
On Monday, 49-year-old Brian Keith Sims of Logansport learned of his punishment for a conviction of class C felony robbery. Cass Superior Court II Judge Rick Maughmer sentenced Sims to four years, two of which were to be served in the Indiana Department of Correction. The remaining two years will be spent on probation.
Sims told the judge that he had four or five beers before robbing the bank, so Maughmer ordered him to undergo a drug/alcohol evaluation at a cost of $200. Sims was also ordered to pay $160 in court costs and to have no contact with the bank. Sims’ probation fees will be an estimated $920.
The conviction stems from the July 6 hold-up of the bank at 723 E. Broadway. Police say Sims handed a teller a note saying he had a bomb and wanted money in large bills. He demanded the money be put in a handbag he had brought with him.
Sims, who had parked nearby, escaped immediate capture, despite the use of a police canine.
Sims was arrested six days later when police received a Crime Stoppers tip offering the name of a person who fit the robber’s description. An investigator followed up on the tip and spoke with Sims at his home at 328 Day St. A key element of the case was the beard, police said.
The tipster noted that Sims had recently shaved his beard. That was confirmed with his driver’s license photo.
After being questioned at his home, Sims contacted attorney Robert Murray, who in turn contacted the prosecutor’s office to arrange for his client to surrender.
In that meeting, Sims said he had been gambling excessively. He lost his job in February and had borrowed money. He needed to pay back the money before his wife found out. Sims told authorities he got the idea to rob a bank from watching Court TV.
Sims said he drove to his house after the robbery. Later, he threw away the clothes and disguise he had worn and dug a hole for the money in the back yard.
Sims had brought $2,700 of the stolen money with him and later turned in another $456 to police. He has since repaid the money in full.
Sims was booked into the Cass County Jail on charges of class C felony robbery and class D felony theft. As part of the plea agreement, the theft charge was dropped. Sims was credited with 109 days he had already served and surrendered immediately to begin serving his sentence.
James Fleming, a Howard County prosecutor, was brought in as a special prosecutor in the case to avoid a possible conflict of interest and the appearance of impropriety.
Cass County Prosecutor Kevin Enyeart happened to be walking into the bank at the time Sims was leaving, and he later picked Sims from a photo lineup.
Dave Wihebrink, CEO of Logansport Savings Bank, testified at the sentencing hearing. He said he was speaking on behalf of the employees of Logansport Savings Bank when he told Sims that they do not wish him ill will even though his actions have caused a lingering effect. He said he hoped that Sims would come back to Logansport a better, more responsible person.
Kevin Lilly can be reached at (574) 732-5117, or via e-mail at kevin.lilly@pharostribune.com
