UPDATE: Newton Police arrested a bank robbery suspect Thursday afternoon. Police located Michael Dean Phillips in a vehicle in the 100 blook of S 2nd Ave E. Phillips was taken into custody without incident.
Phillips is charged with 1st Degree Robbery and was taken to the Jasper County Jail. The Newton
Police say they received numerous tips from the public, that led them to Phillips.
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NEWTON, Iowa- Newton Police have issued an arrest warrant for a suspect in a bank robbery Tuesday, May 1st.
Police say a robbery was reported Tuesday at 12:25 p.m. at the Great Western Bank at 511 1st Ave. East in Newton. Bank employees told police a male, identified as 22-year-old Michael Dean Phillips, handed a teller a note, said he had a bomb and demanded money. He left the bank with an undisclosed amount of cash and ran southbound from the bank.
Police say Phillips’ clothing and a pillow, which he indicated was the bomb, were found two blocks from the bank. Phillips is still at large and a nationwide warrant for 1st Degree Robbery has been issued for arrest.
Michael Dean Phillips is 6’02”, 170lbs, with black hair and brown eyes.
Crime Stoppers is offering a $300 reward for the arrest of Michael Phillips.
Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of the Phillips are encouraged to contact the Newton Police Department at 641-792-1547 or Jasper County Crimes Stoppers at 641-792-8362.