Muncie couple held in bank robbery investigation
MUNCIE, Ind. — Muncie police on Wednesday arrested two suspects in a Tuesday bank robbery.
Rodney Lewis Conatser, 51, of Muncie, was preliminarily charged with armed robbery, possession of cocaine or a narcotic drug and driving while suspended.
His wife, Amanda Nichole Conatser, 41, faces preliminary counts of conspiracy to commit armed robbery and possession of a narcotic drug.
According to Melissa Criswell, deputy chief with the Muncie Police Department, a bandit — described as a white male wearing "a face covering" — robbed employees of the First Merchants Bank at 101 S. Country Club Road shortly after 4 p.m. Tuesday.
Officers from the MPD and other local agencies searched the area for a vehicle that was believed to be linked to the holdup.
More: Muncie man arrested on robbery, battery charges
On Wednesday, that vehicle — registered to Amanda Conatser — was observed and a traffic stop was conducted, according to Criswell.
The Conatsers were both found in the vehicle and arrested.
They were being held Thursday in the Delaware County jail. Rodney Conatser's bond on the local charges was set at $37,500.
His spouse was being held under a $35,000 bond.
A warrant was issued Nov. 22 for Rodney Conatser's arrest in LaGrange Circuit Court, in northeastern Indiana, where he is accused of violating his probation in a case that saw him convicted of nonsupport of a dependent child in June 2020.
According to court documents, Rodney Conatser's record also includes convictions for robbery, dealing in meth, possession of meth and voyeurism. Amanda Conatser has been convicted of possession of meth.
Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Bank robbery investigation leads to arrests of Muncie couple
