Cold Case Investigation Solved After 25 Years

On September 1, 2000, at approximately 9:05 A.M., a male suspect armed with a gun robbed the Holland National Bank in Ferdinand.  A bank employee immediately called 911 and described the suspect’s vehicle and license plate number. Bank employees reported that the suspect was wearing dark pantyhose over his head, holding a small handgun in his left hand, and carrying an object in his other hand that appeared to resemble a possible explosive device.  The suspect left the bank with currency, dropping a set of plastic ties inside the bank as he fled. He did not bring a bag to carry the money and instead attempted to conceal it inside his shirt.

Earlier that morning, prior to the robbery, a mother and her young child were at their residence on Ferdinand Road Northwest, preparing to leave for school. The child was outside their home near her mother’s vehicle when a male wearing a nylon mask and a baseball cap approached her with a gun and a bag. He took the child by the hand and instructed her to come with him.  The child told the man that her mother was home, and he took her around the back of the home.  The child’s mother came out the back door at that time, and he told her to go into the house.  He took them inside the home and told them that no one would be hurt if they did what he said. 

The suspect restrained the mother and child using plastic ties, binding their hands behind their backs. He placed them in a closet, covered their mouths with duct tape, tied them together with twine, and secured the mother’s feet. While restraining the mother, the suspect dripped blood onto her ankle. Law enforcement collected and preserved a swab of that blood as evidence.  The mother and child eventually were able to free themselves and sought help from a neighbor after discovering their phone was not working. Upon leaving their residence, they encountered a law enforcement officer and reported what had occurred.

Police had already been dispatched to the Ferdinand Road Northwest address after determining that the suspect had used the mother’s vehicle in the bank robbery.  The vehicle’s license plate was associated with that address. The vehicle was later located in the parking lot of Aristokraft Plant #22, located near 3rd Street and Industrial Park Road in Ferdinand. 

In 2024, the case was assigned to the Indiana State Police Cold Case Unit.  After seeking funding with Seasons of Justice, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing funding for investigative agencies and families for unsolved violent crimes, the unknown DNA sample was then sent to Parabon NanoLabs Inc for genetic genealogy testing.  Due to the results rendered by Parabon NanoLabs Inc., the Indiana State Police Genealogist was able to narrow the detectives focus to three brothers, two of whom lived in Ferdinand at the time of the robbery and within walking distance of where the stolen vehicle was recovered.

Two of the brothers are deceased, and one is currently living outside of Dubois County. After obtaining a search warrant and conducting DNA testing on the living brother, investigators were able to conclusively rule him out as a suspect.  Although the remaining individuals of interest are deceased and unable to provide DNA samples, the investigation has now reached a conclusive resolution based on the available evidence and modern forensic advancements that narrowed it to one deceased brother. 

This resolution reflects the dedication and persistence of law enforcement agencies over the past two decades and the powerful impact of evolving forensic technology. Most importantly, it brings long-awaited answers and peace of mind to the victims, their families, and the residents of Ferdinand and Dubois County.

All suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.