Bad Luck for Bank Robbers, Troopers All Working Day Shift
By Orlan Love, Reporter
Authorities investigate the scene of a robbery at Maynard Savings Bank in Maynard Tuesday, Oct. 30 2012. (DENNIS MAGEE / Courier photographer)
By
Liz Blood
Story Created:
Nov 2, 2012 at 3:13 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Nov 2, 2012 at 3:38 PM CDT
OELWEIN, Iowa - Because of scheduled training activities, all 21 troopers in the State Patrol’s District 10 were on duty, working the day shift Tuesday when two gunmen robbed the bank in Maynard about eight miles north of post headquarters in Oelwein.
“That’s the main reason we were able to respond so quickly,” said District 10 trooper Brian Senne.
“The stars aligned. A lot of law enforcement officers were in the area that day,” which contributed to the rapid response that led to the capture of two men charged with a host of serious crimes, Chief Deputy James Davis of the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office said Friday.
Senne said officers from the Oelwein post joined the pursuit “within minutes,” but they were far from alone.
“Everyone (from as many as 16 law enforcement agencies) responded quickly and worked well together,” he said.
Additional charges were filed Thursday in Fayette County against Jeremiah Mumford, 24, of New Hampton, and William Clayton, 19, of Osage, who are accused of shooting and wounding two law enforcement officers during a pursuit following the late morning armed holdup of the Maynard Savings Bank.
Mumford, the alleged shooter in the hour-long rolling gun battle, is charged in Fayette County with terrorism, first-degree robbery and two counts of attempted murder. Clayton, the alleged driver, is charged with terrorism, first-degree robbery and two counts of aiding and abetting attempted murder.
Mumford and Clayton entered the bank at 11:12 a.m. brandishing loaded assault rifles and “robbed bank staff members at gunpoint, taking more than $15,000 in cash,” according to the criminal complaints.
During their escape attempt, they stopped a civilian motorist on U Avenue, about midway between Maynard and Sumner, and Mumford fired repeatedly at it with the assault rifle, striking it at least six times, the complaint alleged.
In Bremer County, where they were captured just north of Frederika on Tuesday evening, Mumford is charged with six counts of attempted murder and Clayton is charged with six counts of aiding and abetting attempted murder – one charge for each officer they allegedly shot at. Each man also faces four terrorism charges in Bremer County.
Bullets struck and injured state trooper Mark Domino and Sumner Police Chief Dennis Cain, both of whom are recovering from their wounds. Bullets also hit police cars belonging to the Iowa Department of Transportation and Fayette County, according to the Bremer County complaints.
More than 50 state troopers participated in the nearly eight-hour chase and manhunt on Tuesday.
In addition to the 21 from Post 10, at least 15 from Post 9 in Cedar Falls and 20 from Post 8 in Mason City, including trooper Domino, responded to the call for help.
District 9’s airplane also promptly joined the search for the suspects, who abandoned their vehicle at a quarry just west of Frederika and fled into nearby woods with most of their weapons.
