Crime spree leaves residents concerned

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - After the most recent bank robbery Thursday morning in Lafayette, residents said they're more concerned for their safety every day.

"It's very scary to have stuff like that going around the neighborhoods, especially with all the kids around and everything," Lafayette resident Lindsey Vandervate said.

"I have three kids at home with us and I don't want to let them play outside by themselves," Lafayette resident Jocelyn Brubaker said.

In just one month, Lafayette police have responded to a handful of crime scenes, keeping them busier than usual.

"We've had the homicide investigation and several bank robberies," Lieutenant Brad Hayworth with the Lafayette Police Department said. "That's not typical for Lafayette so I would say it has been busier than normal for the last month."

"I think it's crazy," Lafayette resident Becky Johnson said. "I think people just have way too much time on their hands."

On Sept. 14, LPD responded to a robbery at the Chase Bank on Teal Road. Just 11 days later on Sept. 25, an early morning call came in of an armed robbery at the Village Pantry at the corner of 18th Street and Brady Lane.

"I'm not really surprised, but then again I kind of am," Vandervate said.

"It's a little scary actually," Johnson added.

Fast forward to the first week in October. The Marathon gas station on Teal Road was then robbed. And just last week, police were called to yet again another robbery. This time at the Lafayette Savings Bank branch at the corner of Twyckenham Boulevard and 9th Street.

"I've lived here for 26 years and I've never seen this much crime go down in Lafayette," Vandervate said.

The most recent robbery was Thursday morning. This time police were called to a robbery at the Huntington Bank on Teal Road, and now some residents said they're wondering what will be next.

"Hearing that another bank has been robbed, it makes us a little more cautious, especially with kids and letting them play outside," Brubaker said. "Even riding their bikes around the block, I don't want them doing that."

So far police have made just one arrest in this recent crime spree. And now they're asking for your help in finding the missing pieces to the rest of these unsolved puzzles.

If you know anything about any of these crimes, contact the Lafayette Police Department at (765) 807-1200 or the anonymous We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME.