SAND LAKE, Mich. (WOOD) — Brothers who police say teamed up Dec. 30 to rob Independent Bank in Sand Lake figured it was an easy mark but were tripped up by distinctive clothing in a heist that netted just $335, according to court records.
The pair were arraigned Thursday in 63rd District Court for bank robbery and conspiracy to commit bank robbery, felonies punishable by up to life in prison.
Deputies: 2 arrested in connection with Sand Lake bank robbery
Christopher Michael Moore, 25, admitted to robbing the bank, court records show. He is being held without bond.
Nicholas James Moore, 19, admitted to scoping out the bank and serving as driver, records show. His bond was set at $500,000.
A Dec. 31, 2024, booking photo of Christopher Moore from the Kent County jail.
A Dec. 31, 2024, booking photo of Nicholas Moore from the Kent County jail.
The pair, both from Mecosta County, were arrested within a day of Monday’s noon heist at the branch at 5 3rd St. in Sand Lake, a small village of about 500 in northern Kent County.
They will return to court for a probable cause conference on Jan. 15.
Investigators from multiple jurisdictions joined the search for the pair. Prior to the robbery, they visited the Meijer store in Cedar Springs because they needed masks, court records show.
“Nicholas said while at the Meijer store they got Covid masks and duct tape so that Christopher could wrap his hands with gloves on so that nobody could see his tattoos,’’ a detective wrote in a probable cause affidavit.
Police determined that a person matching the physical description of the suspect, and wearing similar clothing, was at the Meijer prior to the robbery. Police also determined he was at the store with a second person, court records show.
Community not at risk after Sand Lake bank robbery, deputies say
A description of the vehicle, a maroon Chevrolet Tahoe, and license plate number helped police identify the Moore brothers, records show. Bank surveillance photos and photos from Meijer also helped.
Search warrants were obtained for residences in Stanwood and Big Rapids.
“Nicholas said that he and his brother, Christopher Moore, were the two who robbed the Independent Bank,” according to a probable cause affidavit.
They selected Sand Lake because “every time we go up there, it’s kind of like a small-town easy way to escape,” records show.
In interviews with police, Nicholas Moore said the pair had been talking and planning on robbing the bank because they needed the money.
“He needed to pay his house payment, and I have a kid on the way,’’ Nicholas said, according to court records. He also said no weapon was involved.
In announcing the robbery, a man wearing a mask, glasses and distinctive clothing handed the bank teller a note that read “this is a robbery, no tracers, no dye packs,” court records show. “The teller gave the subject all the cash he had in the register – $335.00.”
“Christopher said he knew he made a mistake and that he was the mastermind,” court records show.
He told police the Independent Bank branch was selected “because he felt it was the easiest bank to get away from after all the research he did leading up to the crime.”
And he had been thinking about robbing a bank for years “because that’s what all criminals do,” records show.
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