Two western Wisconsin men were indicted in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis on Tuesday in connection with the April 2 robbery of a TCF Bank in Maplewood, during which a toy handgun was used and more than $13,000 taken.
According to the indictment:
Andrew J. Larson, 24, of Eau Claire, and Derek W. Lombard, 26, of Cumberland, walked into the bank at 2:30 p.m. and ordered everyone to get down. At the time, one of them held what was later found to be a toy handgun. The men jumped over the bank counter, pulled open several teller drawers, and grabbed a large amount of cash before running from the bank and fleeing in a stolen Dodge Charger.
A short time later, the pair abandoned the Charger in a parking lot in favor of Larson's Oldsmobile.
When Maplewood police officers responded, they spotted the Oldsmobile and what appeared to be the driver and a passenger changing clothes inside. The officers pulled alongside, but the Oldsmobile sped away. A chase ensued, ending when the pair's car crashed on Interstate 694.
Larson and Lombard then fled on foot. Lombard was arrested after struggling with officers, freeing himself and trying to commandeer a van. After pulling the van's driver to the ground but before stealing the van, Lombard was chased again by officers and apprehended.
Larson purportedly hid in the outside sales area of a nearby Fleet Farm. He was caught with the aid of a Minnesota State Patrol helicopter.
JIM ANDERSON
