Racine Police took two men into custody Tuesday on suspicion of robbing the BMO Harris Bank, 4100 Durand Ave., at about 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.
One man, who had been wearing all black, left the bank on foot and was walking westbound on Durand Avenue, according to the Racine Police Department.
There were reports that he may have been picked up by someone driving a red vehicle that officers traveling to the scene observed on Ohio Street. Police initiated a traffic stop, and one man – later identified as Darnell Collins – fled through the neighborhood around the 4400 block of 17th Street.
SC Johnson Elementary School, 2420 Kentucky St., was locked down on the last day of school, according to a report by Racine County Scanner.
Police set up a perimeter and searched the area. Collins, 49, of Racine, was later found in the 4000 block of 17th St. by a Racine County Sheriff K9 unit. He was booked into the Racine County Jail on pending charges of robbery of a financial institution, obstruction and parole violation.
The driver of the car – James Ward, 33 – was also taken into custody. Police are recommending charges of robbery of a financial institution/party to a crime, obstruction and parole violation.
Investigators are looking into whether or not if Collins and/or Ward is connected to any other recent bank robberies.
Anyone with information can leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers at (262) 636-9330 or by texting RACS plus the message to CRIMES (274637) and referring to Tipsoft ID #TIP417 with your text message.