Sheriff’s officials in northeast Iowa’s Jones County say four people were arrested on 1st Degree Robbery and other charges, following a bank robber Monday afternoon. Authorities say at around 12:15-p.m, the Jones County Sheriff’s Office received a call from the Exchange State Bank in Martelle. The bank reported they were robbed at gunpoint by two suspects who entered the bank carrying long guns. The two suspects made off with an undisclosed amount of money. The two suspects were seen getting into a white Buick Lesabre, with no plates, and headed northbound on Hwy 1.

At 12:35 PM, the Jones County Sheriff’s Office received a citizen’s report of a white car abandoned on 230th Avenue, North of 35th St., that appeared to be smoking. Officers with the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Patrol, Iowa DOT Enforcement, and Jones County Sheriff’s Office responded and located the car. The car had been on fire and Lisbon Fire Department, who also responded, put out the fire. The vehicle was soon confirmed as the vehicle seen leaving the bank.

Based on information collected at the two scenes, two separate traffic stops led to four people being questioned and eventually arrested in connection with the Martelle bank robbery. The suspects include: 24-year old Andrew Palmer, of Mechanicsville; 22-year old Shiloh Palmer, of Mt. Vernon; 41-year old Peter Olinger, and 25-year old Elibabeth Olinger, both of Mechanicsville.

Shiloh Palmer

Elizabeth Olinger

Peter Olinger

Andrew Palmer

Brothers Andrew Palmer and Shiloh Palmer, were charged with Robbery in the 1st Degree. Peter and Elizabeth Olinger, who are husband and wife, face charges of Aiding & Abetting to Robbery in the 1st Degree. Peter Olinger is accused of driving Andrew and Shiloh Palmer to the Exchange Bank in Martelle, Iowa. Peter Olinger stayed in the vehicle while Andrew and Shiloh Palmer entered the bank, with long guns, and took an undisclosed amount of money. Elizabeth Olinger is accused of meeting the other three defendants on 230th Avenue, where they abandoned the white “get away” car and switched into another vehicle.

The investigation and collection of evidence will continue over the next several days.