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Police ruse led to Lenstrom's detainment for bank robbery; FBI requests federal arrest warrant

When Sidney police confronted Janetta Lenstrom last Friday morning after the robbery at Sidney Federal Saving’s & Loan, the Potter resident allegedly “broke down, stating she was either going to kill herself or rob a bank, as it was the only way she could think of to get herself out of her current situation.”

Details of the confrontation were made available in an FBI affidavit attached to a criminal complaint filed with the U.S. District Court.

Lenstrom was taken into protective custody on Friday. The Sidney Police Department and the Cheyenne County Sheriff’s Office had her transported to North Platte for evaluation by mental health professionals. Law enforcement authorities were reportedly aware she was suffering post partum depression after giving birth toward the end of 2013.

The criminal complaint includes the theft of $20,605 by force from the bank, as well as the act of putting life in jeopardy as part of the Description of Offense.

According to the FBI affidavit, Lenstrom entered Sidney Federal Savings & Loan at approximately 9:20 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 24, wearing a stocking cap, sunglasses and a coat over a pair of jeans. She allegedly pulled a handgun from the coat and placed it on the counter at the teller station closest to the south entrance.

“The robber kept her hands on the handgun and stated she needed money,” according to the document.

The teller placed money in the bag. Another bank employee witnessed the act and activated the bank’s alarm. At least two bank employees saw the robber exit through the south door and reported that she drove away in a grey Chrevolet Impala.

Several police officers, led by Maj. Joe Aiken and Lt. Keith Andrew responded. Bank personnel reportedly told the officers the robber appeared to be Lenstrom. Until that day, she had worked at Points West Community Bank nearby. The affidavit reports Lenstrom claimed to have quit her position by phone.

Officers investigating observed surveillance footage and agreed the person on the monitor resembled Lenstrom.

At that point Sidney police officer Cory Lenstrom, husband of the alleged bank robber, was pulled from the investigative side of the case and interviewed. He was asked to arrange a meeting with her by phone. She agreed and arrived at the location, near the Cabela’s headquarters, where police placed her into protective custody.

The account Lenstrom reportedly told investigators during the interview corroborated information gleaned from witnesses, according to the affidavit.

After obtaining a search warrant, authorities found a handgun alternatively described as a 9 mm and a 45 caliber, allegedly loaded, a bag containing more than $20,000, maps, a pair of sunglasses and a stocking cap in her vehicle.

The document requests that a federal arrest warrant be issued for Lenstrom.

 

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