Posted: 1/6/06
By Patrick Tepoorten
A late afternoon armed robbery in Forest Lake led to a chase, standoff, negotiations, and a clogged freeway for over an hour on Jan. 5.
According to a press release from the Forest Lake Department of Public Safety, Thomas Daniel Trammell, Jr., 28, of Hamburg, Minn., entered the U.S. Bank at 320 West Broadway Ave., in Forest Lake, shortly after 4 p.m. He then presented a note to an employee, demanded money, and brandished a firearm. The employee complied and Trammell left the bank in a white Ford Explorer with an undisclosed amount of money.
Not long after Trammellís departure, the white Explorer was spotted speeding northbound on I-35. Police followed the vehicle until it eventually left the roadway and become stuck in the vicinity of the Harris exit.
Lengthy negotiations with Trammell forced lane closures for roughly an hour. Ultimately, Trammell surrendered and was transported to the Washington County Jail. He has been charged with first degree aggravated robbery.
Traffic was restored on I-35 shortly after 5:30.
Five law enforcement agencies contributed to the apprehension of Trammell, including both the Chisago and Washington County Sheriffís Offices, the Minnesota State Highway Patrol, the Forest Lake Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
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