Three Kokomo Men Sentenced to Federal Prison After Heist of Over $200,000 from Armored Truck Aided by Inside Man
Keith Martin, 43, Edwin Sims, 31, and James Alexander, 36, of Kokomo, Indiana, have all been sentenced to federal prison after pleading guilty to a coordinated bank theft of $204,918. Edwin Sims also pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
According to court documents, on November 16, 2021, at approximately 2: l7pm, officers with the Kokomo Police Department (KPD) responded to a bank near West Jefferson Street after the armed robbery of a Garda armored truck. Upon arrival, officers spoke to the driver of the armored truck, Keith Martin, who stated that while an employee went into the bank to service the ATM, an armed robber, later determined to be Edwin Sims, entered the back of the Garda truck. Sims approached Martin and took his firearm and cell phone, then stole $204,918 in cash from the armored truck. Sims fled the scene in a red Cadillac driven by co-conspirator, James Alexander.
While investigating the robbery, officers received additional video from inside the armored truck for the entire day of November 16th. At two different stops prior to the robbery, Martin can be seen on his phone, as the same red Cadillac drives past the armored truck.
When Sims entered the truck, Martin immediately leaned to the left, making it simple to remove his firearm. Martin handed his cell phone and firearm to Sims, without any coercion. Investigators obtained a search warrant for the cell phone records of Martin and discovered that Martin had made several calls with James Alexander prior to the robbery.
On November 30, 2021, FBI agents arrested Alexander on an outstanding warrant for Criminal Recklessness. During an interview with investigators, Alexander stated that after the bank theft, the trio met at a Motel 6 to split the money and give Martin his cell phone back.
On December 1, 2021, Martin was arrested while driving a GMC Yukon. FBI agents recovered $32,278 in a shoebox and a Glock 19 inside the vehicle. An additional search of the red Cadillac used in the getaway was also conducted, uncovering $35,387 inside a backpack.
On December 8, 2021, officers attempted to arrest Sims in Indianapolis. Sims fled but was taken into custody at East l6th Street and Campbell Avenue. Officers located 17.9 grams of cocaine base and 52 grams of cocaine individually bagged for sale next to Sims at the time of his arrest.
Keith Martin was sentenced in July 2023 to seven months in federal prison. Edwin Sims was sentenced in March 2023 to 12.5 years’ imprisonment. James Alexander was sentenced in August 2023 to 27 months’ imprisonment. The three defendants were each ordered to pay $135,792.85 in restitution.
Indianapolis Police Officer arrested on domestic violence charges
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) Officer Glen Schmidt was arrested on a charge of Strangulation, Battery Resulting in Bodily Injury, and Domestic Battery. and booked into Marion County Jail on Monday.
IMPD officers were called to a home on Sunday evening after a report that a woman was been involved in a domestic disturbance. Officers saw visible injuries on the woman. Schmidt admitted throwing a table at a vehicle, but claims that the woman aggressively came at him, to which he responded by “putting her on the ground.” He also added that the two had been drinking prior to the incident.
IMPD has placed Schmidt on administrative leave.
Indiana Attorney General takes on Chinese e-cigarette companies
Attorney General Todd Rokita backs parents concerned with the use of disposable e-cigarettes intentionally marketed to minors in a letter sent to the U.S Food and Drug Administration. Over 2.5 million middle and high school students nationwide have used an e-cigarette in the past 30 days, and 25% use e-cigarettes daily. In Indiana, 1 in 10 high school students and 1 in 30 middle school students reported current tobacco product use with e-cigarettes being the most used by minors.
In the United States, Puff, Elf Bar, and Breeze Smoke remain the most popular brands of illegal disposable e-cigarettes. These products come in “child-friendly” flavors such as Blue Razz Ice, Strawberry Cream, and Bubble Gang Sour Apple Berry—and they are highly obtainable to America’s youth at local convenience stores, via TikTok, and on various easily accessible websites.
Last October, the Chinese government banned flavored vaping products for its own citizens. Much like the use of Tik-Tok, what China considers too detrimental for its own youth, they do not bat an eye at the absolute exploitation of American consumers, especially our youth.
The Office of the Attorney General has received multiple reports regarding the dangers of fentanyl, some of which are tied to e-cigarettes and similar products. The threat of fentanyl is not confined to illicit pills. Several reports suggest that illegal, disposable, and flavored e-cigarettes made in China and unlawfully sold to consumers in America may be laced with fentanyl.
This Week in Hoosier History
1924 – The Haynes Automobile Company ceased production in Kokomo. The firm, founded by Elwood Haynes, was a leader in the early auto industry.
For more local news . . . Check out our archived episodes of What’s Happenin’ and Talkin’ Sports with Nick Jenkinson