FORT DODGE – A Fort Dodge bank was robbed Friday afternoon and authorities worked quickly to nab a suspect as he drove down a nearby highway.
On Friday, October 11, 2024, at approximately 3:35 PM, the Webster County Telecommunications Center received a panic alarm from Availa Bank located at 130 N 29th Street in Fort Dodge. Officers were dispatched to the location to check on the panic alarm. While officers were en route, they were notified that a bank robbery had just occurred.
Officers arrived on scene quickly and made contact with bank employees. Information was gathered and shared with responding officers and deputies that were in the area but the suspect was not immediately located. Officers, deputies and responding investigators with Criminal Investigations Division gathered evidence and spoke to witnesses on scene. As a result of the work of responding law enforcement, the suspect was identified.
At approximately 6:31 PM, a Webster county deputy located the suspect’s vehicle traveling on Highway 20 and conducted a traffic stop. The suspect was taken into custody without incident.
As a result of the investigation thus far, 66‐year‐old Juan Alberto Flores‐Andino (pictured at top) of Fort Dodge has been arrested and charged with the following:
• Robbery in the Second Degree (C Felony)
• Theft in the Second Degree (D Felony)
At this time investigators with the Criminal Investigations Division are continuing to follow up on this incident. Anyone with information on this incident is encouraged to contact the Fort Dodge Police.
The Fort Dodge Police Department was assisted by the Webster County Sheriff’s Office and the Webster County Attorney’s Office.