OTTUMWA —
Monte Derby, owner-manager of Happy Joe’s Pizza & Ice Cream Parlor at 315 Church St., saw a man running from Church Street along the side of Happy Joe’s Saturday morning.
On Sunday, Derby learned the runner turned out to be an Ottumwa man who is now in custody after Ottumwa Police learned of a robbery Saturday morning at South Ottumwa Savings Bank, 320 Church St.
After they investigated the robbery, police officers arrested Alex James Mabe, 37, no address provided, and charged him with second-degree robbery (class C felony), according to Lt. Tom McAndrew of Ottumwa Police Department.
“When the guy went past my first window, I thought he must have stolen something,” Derby said. “He’s not a very good runner and was funny to watch.”
Mabe is being held in the Wapello County Jail on $10,000 bond.
Derby soon learned the man had robbed South Ottumwa Savings Bank Saturday morning.
“I saw him running and I ran out the back door, but he had disappeared,” Derby said Sunday. “The guy isn’t a good runner, and they found him at the Hy-Vee Gas station about one hour later.“
The Ottumwa Police Department released its official statement Saturday afternoon.
At about 9:13 a.m. Saturday, police received a report of a robbery at the bank. The responding officers learned the suspect had fled the bank on foot.
By 10:05 a.m. Saturday, officers were notified of a suspicious person at the Hy-Vee Gas Station, 1027 N. Quincy Ave.
They located a person who matched the description of the robber and identified him as Mabe.
A search on Iowa Courts Online revealed Mabe has a lengthy record of simple misdemeanors and some higher criminal charges.
CNHI/Southeast Iowa
Related Photos
-
Alex Mabe
Share your thoughts!
Man arrested for Ottumwa bank robbery
- CNHI/Southeast Iowa
-
-
Photos: Aftermath of massive tornado in Moore
Storm victims were pulled from the rubble and residents began surveying the damage late Monday and early Tuesday in the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore, where a powerful tornado destroyed entire neighborhoods and left dozens dead.
-
Where to get the best deal on beer, haircuts, movies
Looking for a good deal on a six-pack of beer? Try Charlotte. A haircut that won't burn a hole in your wallet? Harlingen, Texas, is your best bet. A trip to the movies? Hilo, Hawaii, is supposed to be nice this time of year.
-
VIDEO: Tornado survivor's missing dog found during TV interview
Barbara Garcia was being interviewed by CBS News about how she survived the destruction of her home to Monday's massive tornado in Moore, when the dog she feared dead was suddenly discovered alive in the rubble of her home.
-
Barber shows no signs of cutting career short
OTTUMWA -- Darrell Smith's hands are steady and sure as he picks up his clippers and straight razor to begin his first haircut and shave of the day. Smith, 88, has cut hair for 62 years and has owned Smitty's Barber Shop on Albia Road for the past 58
-
Okla. front pages capture tornado aftermath
View how several Oklahoma newspapers covered Monday's massive tornado in Moore. Please note that officials revised the death toll downward early Tuesday morning after some papers were printed, but it is expected to climb again as recovery efforts continue.
-
Corn planting soars on break in the weather
The percentage of corn planted in Iowa grew by more than 50 percentage points last week with what experts called the first really good week of weather for farmers.
-
VIDEO: Pres. Obama's remarks on the Okla. tornado
President Obama speaks on Monday's deadly Okla. tornado.
-
LIVE BLOG: Massive tornado hits south of OKC
A massive tornado touched down Monday afternoon in Moore, Okla., just south of Oklahoma City. Follow live coverage of the aftermath of the storm.
-
VIDEO: Tumblr sold to Yahoo! for $1.1 billion
Yahoo! has purchased Tumblr for $1.1 billion, hoping to compete more effectively with sites like Google and Facebook.
-
What you need to know about preparing for tornadoes
Tornado survivors and seasoned observers suggest people do two simple things to prepare for tornadoes: Know where to take shelter, and move quickly when the time comes.
-
VIDEO: How technology helps predict tornadoes
At the National Storm Prediction Center in Oklahoma, the team charged with predicting tornadoes relies on ever-changing technology to determine when and where storms may strike.
-
SLIDESHOW: Tornado passes through Oklahoma
A fast-moving storm brought rain, hail and tornadoes to Oklahoma late Sunday afternoon and evening.
-
Reviving downtown's upper stories
Building by building, the upper stories of downtown Ottumwa are coming back to life after some have sat empty for half a century.
-
Alleged counterfeiter arrested
The Knoxville Police Department reports having a suspect in custody who may be responsible for the counterfeit $100 circulating in town.
-
Officer treated and released after injuries from Oklahoma windstorm
Enid, Okla. police officer Lee Friesendahl was treated and released at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center Saturday night after his patrol car was struck by a strong windstorm triggered by a heat burst.
- More CNHI/Southeast Iowa Headlines
-
