Man targets same bank days after jail release, records show

WYOMING, Mich. (WOOD) — A man who just got out of jail for robbing a Wyoming bank in 2022 is back behind bars, accused of hitting the same Fifth Third branch days after his release.

John Leon Tipton, 65, who has a lengthy criminal record, was in court Monday, charged with armed robbery for the March 22 heist.

It’s familiar territory. He pleaded no contest earlier this year to robbing the same Fifth Third Bank on Michael Avenue SW at 28 ^th Street back in August of 2022 . In that robbery, police say Tipton told a teller he had a gun and was robbing the bank.

Prior to Friday, it was the last time a bank had been robbed in the city of Wyoming.

Tipton on March 7 was sentenced in Kent County Circuit Court to 573 days in jail, but credited for time served since his arrest. He got out of jail that same day.

About two weeks later, on March 22 , police say he entered the branch at 2828 Michael Ave. SW shortly after it opened and demanded money from a bank teller, court records show.

“Defendant stated he had a gun and threatened that he would shoot the teller if she didn’t give him the money,’’ a Wyoming officer wrote in court documents. “Defendant took the money from the teller and fled the scene.’’

Police caught up with Tipton less than two hours later on 28 ^th Street SW near South Division Avenue. He was arrested without incident.

Tipton was arraigned Monday in Wyoming District Court on one count of armed robbery, a potential life offense. The judge denied the bond.

A probable cause conference has been set for early April.

Tipton has had numerous arrests dating back to the 1980s and has spent time in prison. In the 2022 bank robbery arrest, he was charged with being a habitual offender, but that charge was dismissed.

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