WILMINGTON — The alleged robber of a local bank, who a few days later escaped law-enforcement custody while at Clinton Memorial Hospital and then allegedly stole a car, faces eight charges handed down by a Clinton County grand jury.
John D. McKinney Jr., 41, is charged with robbery, theft, escape, burglary, theft from a person in a protected class, breaking and entering, unauthorized use of a vehicle, and intimidation.
The indictment document alleges McKinney, in robbing First Financial Bank on Fife Avenue in Wilmington Aug. 30, made off with $2,400. After being apprehended and arrested, he reportedly escaped Sept. 4 from CMH where he was in the custody of law enforcement.
The indictment also alleges McKinney on Sept. 4 or 5 trespassed in a Peterson Place residence which is near the hospital. The charge of theft from a person in a protected class stems from an allegation in the indictment that McKinney stole a shirt on Sept. 4 or 5 from a local man who is a senior citizen.
The breaking-and-entering charge stems from an alleged trespassing Sept. 4 of an unoccupied structure on the 100 block of Richardson Place in Wilmington, according to the wording of the indictment document.
The unauthorized use of a vehicle charge — the only misdemeanor count among the eight charges — stems from an allegation McKinney took a 2003 Lincoln vehicle.
The final count listed among the indictments against McKinney is for alleged intimidation against a corrections officer on Sept. 23 while McKinney was an inmate at the Clinton County Jail, where he remained incarcerated Monday.
McKinney will be represented by the Clinton County Public Defender’s Office. Clinton County Public Defender Rob Baker declined comment Monday on the case until he sees the evidence and talks to his client.
Wilmington Police Chief Duane Weyand did not immediately reply to a text message Monday inquiring about a planned investigation on how McKinney managed to escape at the hospital.
After the bank robbery, police reported McKinney was found hiding in a garage on Applegate Street off Rombach Avenue in Wilmington. After he escaped at CMH, McKinney reportedly was found in a shed near High and Columbus streets in Wilmington.
Reach Gary Huffenberger at 937-556-5768.
