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Feds charge 2 in Le Mars bank robbery; state cases dropped

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February 12th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

LE MARS, Iowa (AP) — Federal charges have been filed against two Sioux City residents accused of robbing a bank in northwest Iowa. U.S. district court records say Phillip White and Karen Merrick are charged with bank robbery. Prosecutors say White robbed Iowa State Bank in Le Mars on Dec. 12 and Merrick drove a U-Haul van as the getaway vehicle. Officers managed to flatten the van’s tires and arrest the pair.

The two already have pleaded not guilty to robbery and other charges in the state cases, which have been dropped in favor of the federal prosecution. The next federal hearing for them is scheduled for Feb. 20.