The Indianapolis Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation announced the arrest of Beaver Bernard Russell, 47, of Benton Harbor, Mich., who the FBI suspects of five purse snatchings and one armed robbery in Northwest Indiana since Dec. 18 and of several bank robberies in Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

According to the FBI, the purse snatchings occurred at the Majestic Star Casino in Gary, at Cabela’s in Hammond, at a WalMart in Michigan City, and at Southlake Mall in Hobart. The two purse snatchings at the Majestic Star Casino were caught on tape and shows Russell forcibly injuring his victims, the FBI said.

On Jan. 5, a student at Kaplan College in Hammond was the victim of an armed robbery perpetrated by Russell, the FBI also said.

According to the FBI, in all of these crimes a similar description of the responsible subject was obtained from the victims and a white Nissan Maxima vehicle was also identified as possibly being driven by the subject. Intelligence was shared with FBI Divisions and police departments throughout the Midwest.

Authorities apprehended Russell on Feb. 9 after he robbed a bank in Walton, Ky., and a second in Florence, Ky., earlier that day, the FBI said. Deputies of the Boone County KY Sheriff’s Office spotted Russell’s vehicle and pursued him reaching speeds of 130 mph. The FBI said Russell flipped his vehicle in a median several times and attempted to flee on foot when he was apprehended by Boone County deputies, the FBI said.

Russell was taken to Boone County KY Jail where he is being held on state charges related to vehicle pursuit and two bank robberies, the FBI said.

He admitted to the purse snatchings and the robbery at Kaplan College in Northwest Indiana when interviewed by authorities, the FBI said.

According to the FBI, federal charges against Russell are being pursued through the U.S. Attorney Office for the Northern District of Indiana.

Posted 2/14/2012