Details emerge in bank robbery

Mar. 11—A Knoxville, Iowa, man has been charged with first-degree robbery in connection with the Friday robbery of Clinton National Bank in Delmar.

According to court documents, a suspect identified as Jeffrey Brian Bettis, 37, entered Clinton National Bank on Western Avenue in Delmar at about 12:30 p.m.

While wearing a mask, Bettis pointed a handgun at two female bank employees, the documents state. He demanded money from the tellers and told them to give him their car keys. Bettis then exited the bank and drove south in a vehicle that belonged to one of the tellers. The vehicle was then located unoccupied on Ridge Avenue in Delmar.

Deputies learned from video surveillance footage that Bettis had left the area in a white Ford Escape about which all local law enforcement agencies were notified.

The Iowa State Patrol stopped a vehicle matching the given description at about 1:13 p.m. near Eldridge. Bettis was the only occupant in the vehicle.

Documents state that in a following interview, Bettis admitted to robbing the bank and brandishing a firearm during the robbery to scare the tellers.

On Monday, however, Bettis entered a plea of not guilty to the charge.

First-degree robbery is a class B felony, punishable under Iowa Code by up to 25 years imprisonment.

A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for March 19 at which Bettis is to be represented by court-appointed attorney John Becker.

Bettis is currently being held in the Clinton County Jail on a $100,000 cash-only bond.