August 13, 2020 – West Bend, WI – Charges were filed Thursday afternoon, August 13, 2020 by Washington County Circuit Judge Sandra Giernoth against Russell Smith, 44, in connection with the Tuesday, August 11, 2020 bank robbery at Horicon Bank, 1535 Paradise Drive, West Bend.
According to court records, Smith has been down this road before.
In 2011 Smith had been out of prison for two days in July when he allegedly stole a bicycle from Walmart in West Bend, bought a bb gun and robbed the M&I Bank on Valley Avenue. Smith was arrested shortly thereafter and later found guilty in Washington County Circuit Court of robbery of a financial institution as a repeater, a class C felony.
In August 2006 Smith faced felony charges of Attempt Armed Robbery with Threat of Force in the Town of Wayne.
In January 1994 Smith was in Washington County Circuit Court on another felony burglary and bail jumping.
In November 1993, when his address was listed as the Washington County Jail, Smith was convicted in Washington County Circuit Court on felony burglary charge; the bail jumping charge was dismissed.
In September 1993, Smith pleaded guilty in Washington County Circuit Court to felony burglary charges.
On Tuesday, West Bend Police responded to a robbery at Horicon Bank. The man implied he had a firearm and fled on a bicycle.
He was arrested shortly after the incident occurred at 8:45 a.m.
Smith appeared before Judge Sandra Giernoth. He is facing charges of Armed Robbery of a Financial Institution. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for September 23, 2020 at 08:15 am. Cash bond was set for $75,000.
