Detroit man arrested after BG bank robbery, police chase

7/24/2008

BOWLING GREEN A Detroit man was arrested Thursday morning after he allegedly robbed the Fifth Third Bank branch on North Main Street then led police on a short chase into Middleton Township.

William D. Brown, Jr., 37, was charged with aggravated robbery and kidnapping following the 9:30 a.m. hold-up.

According to Bowling Green police, a robber entered the bank, told the employees he had a gun, and demanded money.

Sgt. Jason Stanley said at one point, the robber took one of the employees outside to the automated teller machine where another employee was refilling the ATM. There, an employee of a nearby business witnessed what was happening and called police.

The robber later fled in one of the employees cars and was pursued by Bowling Green police out of the city.

Sergeant Stanley said that as Mr. Brown attempted to turn off State Rt. 582 onto Hull Prairie Road just east of Haskins, he turned too wide, hit a guard rail and spun out.

Mr. Brown was treated at Wood County Hospital then transported to Wood County jail.

Sergeant Stanley credited "fast response time from us, a good 911 call and very competent bank employees" with the quick capture of the suspect.