IUPD arrests suspect in B-Line Trail, fraternity armed robberies

IU Police Department officers arrested an alleged armed robbery suspect this morning at Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity at 1210 E. Third St. The suspect, James Mitchell, 18 of Bloomington, was also allegedly responsible for a B-Line Trail robbery Monday night.

Mitchell was charged with attempted armed robbery with a deadly weapon, impersonating a police officer, intimidation, and resisting law enforcement.

The alleged victim of the incident at Lambda Chi Alpha, a 20-year-old IU student, told officers he was walking home in the 1200 block of Third Street when the suspect allegedly pointed a gun at him and told him to get on the ground.

The alleged victim told officers he got down on the ground and asked not to be killed. The suspect then allegedly told the victim he would not kill him, but needed $100. When the victim could not provide the money, the suspect ran away.

At about 12:25 a.m., officers responded to a 911 call of a man with a gun behind the Lambda Chi Alpha house. The caller told officers the suspect was running on Highland Avenue south toward Atwater Avenue.

According to an IUPD press release, officers asked the suspect to show his hands and get down on the ground. When the suspect did not comply, one officer tackled the suspect. As the officer tackled the suspect, an air soft pistol fell to the ground.

IUPD officers turned the suspect over to Bloomington Police Department for further investigation in his alleged armed robbery on the B-Line Trail. IUPD is continuing its investigation and encourages anyone with information about the case to contact them at 812-855-4111.

—Colleen Sikorski