By Staff
The Niles City Police Department received a telephone call from the Greater Niles Community Federal Credit Union around 1:42 pm on January 29, 2003 reporting it had been the victim of an armed robbery. Two very alert citizens were drawn to the movements of the suspects around the bank and called the Police Department. These citizens were able to provide a very detailed description of the car including the car's license plate number.
Officer Jeff Dunlap (Niles Township Police Department) spotted the suspect car about one mile from the bank and began following the car. Officers from Niles City, Niles Township, and the Michigan State Police joined Officer Dunlap and stopped the suspect car near the intersection of S. 11th Street and Bertrand Road (located about one mile north of the state line).
The driver of the car, Odie Miller, 40, of South Bend, Ind., was taken into custody without incident. While Miller was being taken into custody the passenger, Ronnie Boone, 44, also of South Bend, was able to lean into the driver's area of the car and speed away. In the process of the suspect car leaving the scene of the traffic stop Niles City Police Officer David Bosch became tangled with the car and was dragged a short distance receiving minor injuries. Niles City Officer David Schoff also received minor injuries when he fell as the car fled the traffic stop.
Just across the Indiana State line, Boone lost control of the car and was involved in a traffic crash with another car. Boone was able to continue southbound on 933 until he again lost control of the car just north of the intersection of 933 and Cleveland Rd. Boone then ran from the car and entered the Heritage Inn Hotel. It was unknown where Boone went after he entered the hotel. Officers from Michigan and Indiana surrounded the hotel until St. Joseph County SWAT located Boone. Boone was taken into custody and lodged at the St. Joseph County Jail pending extradition.
The Michigan Prosecutor's Office authorized five charges against Mr. Boone today. 1 Bank Robbery, 2 Felony Firearms, 3 Assault on a police officer, 4 Assault on a police officer with injury, and 5 fleeing and eluding police. The Michigan Prosecutor's Office authorized three charges against Miller today. 1 Bank Robbery, 2 Felony Firearms, and 3 Possession of a firearm by a felon. Miller was arraigned today at the Berrien County Court house and his bond was set at $250,000 cash.