Alleged Armed Bank Robber In Grand Rapids Makes First Court Appearance

A man who allegedly robbed a bank near Grand Rapids this week made his first appearance at Itasca County Court.

23-year-old Connor Johnson is charged with two counts of first-degree aggravated robbery and two counts of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon.

According to a news release, the Itasca County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported armed robbery at the Coleraine Bank in La Prairie, located on the eastern edge of Grand Rapids, at approximately 4:22 p.m. on Tuesday, April 16.

Dispatch reported the suspect was identified as being approximately 5 ft. 9 in. tall and wearing a grey hoodie, brandishing a weapon and a can of mace.

According to a news release, Johnson took the cash from the bank and ran on foot into the woods south of the bank. An eyewitness observed the suspect flee into the woods behind the Rainbow Inn parking lot.

Authorities from multiple law enforcement agencies set up a perimeter around the area. The news release states that Minnesota DNR Conservation Officer Mike Fairbanks brought in his K-9 partner and began tracking the suspect. After an approximately two-mile foot pursuit through the woods, they arrested Johnson.

He later told police that he was traveling from Michigan to California but had run out of cash when he decided to rob the bank.

Johnson told investigators he selected the bank because it was on the edge of town near a trail for easy getaway and that Grand Rapids is a smaller town, likely with a slower law enforcement response.

According to a news release, Johnson told the Lieutenant that in his black backpack he was wearing at the time of his arrest law enforcement would find a flare gun that had been painted black to resemble a firearm, a black buck-knife, and a large amount of cash that he had stolen during the robbery. Johnson indicated that he had entered the bank and pointed the flare gun at bank staff.

At approximately 6:00 p.m., the Itasca County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch received a report of an abandoned vehicle off of Highway 2 in La Prairie. The vehicle had a Michigan License Plate. The vehicle was registered to Johnson of Aida, Michigan.

The news release also said that a record check revealed that Johnson has multiple criminal convictions from the State of Michigan:

• 10-20-14 Misdemeanor Interference with Electronic Communications
• 10-20-14 Misdemeanor Domestic Assault
• 9-1-15 Felony Breaking and Entering with Intent
• 9-1-15 Felony Breaking and Entering with Intent

Bail for Johnson has been set at $400,000 without conditions, or $200,000 with conditions based on the seriousness of the offenses, the use of a weapon, and the fact that Johnson has no ties to the area.

His next court appearance is scheduled for April 29.