By Staff
BUCHANAN – Buchanan Police officers using a tracking dog followed and arrested a suspect attempting to break into an ATM machine from Edgewater Bank Sunday.
Fred Williams Timmons, 32, of Metea Court Apartments, was arrested on two outstanding warrants, safe breaking and possession of burglary tools.
An alarm came in to the Buchanan Police Department at 5:35 p.m. Sunday, July 29 from the ATM at the bank at 710 E. Front St.
Officer John Leonard reported upon arrival it was discovered the ATM machine had been burglarized. Prying type devices had been used to remove the outer front cover of the machine. The suspect had continued to pry on the internal components, according to police reports which set off the security alarm for the unit.
The suspect fled the ATM area of the bank caring a small trash can that was in the lobby area near the ATM. A witness saw the subject run from the bank and disappear behind the bank.
Officer Leonard on arrival secured the area and called for a tracking dog, leading the officers to the apartments where several more witnesses helped the police locate the suspect.
The suspect had allegedly been seen running with what appeared to be a white bag or container.
Timmons was located in the bedroom of an apartment, which was apparently rented by a relative.
He attempted to escape through a bedroom window, but saw officers from the police, Berrien County Sheriff's Department and the Michigan State Police outside the building.
Police found the bank's stolen plastic trash container and burglar tools.
Timmons is being held without bond at the Berrien County Jail in Saint Joseph.
Buchanan Police Chief William Marx credited cooperation from other department and "good sound police work" in apprehending the suspect.