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Tellers ID Sheridan man as robber

Crime and Justice | Sat, 06/27/2009 - 7:59 am | Read 2875 | Commented 10 | Emailed 3
Tags: Sheridan, Willamina

Joshua Nordman, 33, of Sheridan was arraigned Wednesday in Yamhill County Circuit Court.

Yamhill County Sheriff's Office photo

WILLAMINA - Two of three tellers who were working when the Willamina branch of Bank of America was robbed Tuesday morning positively identified Joshua Nordman of Sheridan as the suspect.

The 33-year-old Nordman, of 347 N.E. Oak St., was arraigned Wednesday in Yamhill County Circuit Court on one count each of second-degree robbery, a Class B felony, and first-degree theft, a Class C felony. Second-degree robbery is a Measure 11 offense punishable by a lengthy mandatory minimum prison sentence on conviction.

Judge Ronald Stone set bail at $250,000. Nordman's next court appearance will be a preliminary hearing at 1:20 p.m. Wednesday, July 1. In all likelihood, a grand jury indictment will have been returned by then, at which time the charges could be altered.

He currently is serving 18 months probation in Yamhill County after being convicted late last year of fourth-degree assault, according to the Oregon Judicial Information Network. Charges of disorderly conduct and physical harassment were dismissed in exchange for the plea in the case.

The bank, at 322 E. Main St., was robbed about 10:30 a.m. No one was injured. Nordman was taken into custody at his home by Yamhill County sheriff's deputies about 2 1/2 hours later.

He was returned to the bank where two of the three tellers positively identified him as the robber, according to a probable cause statement written by sheriff's Sgt. Russ Vandewettering.

Nordman entered the bank, located along the city's busy Highway 18 business loop, and gave a teller a note that read something to the effect of, "put or give $2,500 cash. No alarms or you die." He did not display a weapon.

The teller said she read the note, put it down, reached into her drawer and pulled out the cash - $3,450 in $50 and $100 denominations.

Bank surveillance cameras captured clear images of Nordman.

He had driven his own car from Sheridan to Willamina. After arriving in Willamina, and before he allegedly robbed the bank, he discovered he did not have enough gas for the return trip to Willamina.

He went to a friend's house following the robbery and asked for a gas can, without the friend's knowledge a holdup had just occurred. He put gas in his car and returned to Sheridan via Highway 18.

Sheriff's deputies were on the scene within minutes of receiving the call. They began canvassing a four-block area surrounding the bank, showing as many people as possible the surveillance photos of the robber. Nordman surfaced as the prime suspect.

He was lodged in jail following last year's arrest on the fourth-degree assault charge, so a booking photograph of him was on file. Deputies obtained an address for him in Sheridan and went to the residence.

They stopped a vehicle seen leaving the area, showed the occupants the surveillance photos and were told Nordman was at the house.

The residence was surrounded by deputies, he surrendered and was taken into custody.

Nordman was read his rights by sheriff's detective Rich Geist. He located $3,379 in cash in a front pants pocket and the demand note in another pocket.

Nordman said the money came from Bank of America. Another $20 was found on a couch where he was sitting, so $3,399 was recovered. Nordman said he spent the rest of the money on beer, cigarettes and gas.

Vandewettering transported an FBI agent to the house to interview Nordman before he was taken to the bank to be identified by the tellers.

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Comments (10)

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Fri, 07/03/2009 - 5:50pm - Posted by: oregonatve72

So now we get to pay for his existence while serving a lengthy sentence for his mastermined criminal activity. I am pretty sure we are already supporting his five or six kids, and his, "crack head ex wife". Sounds like he needs a clue in life, as he has clearly shown poor choices, well, stupid choices. Robbing a bank in Willamina, when you live in Sheridan, then going and buying smokes and booze? Pathetic wretch of a man, hope the feds pick him up, though they will probably just laugh at the prospect, as he is more of danger to himself than anything or anyone else. Hope his kids turn out better than their dad.

Wed, 07/01/2009 - 11:52pm - Posted by: motormouth

I honestly don't know what would drive a parent to do something as serious as this. Hopefully, I never will. He made his choice, whether a good guy, stupid idiot or product of his environment, it was only his choice to make. Unfortunately it is his kids that will pay the price. I hope we all learn that actions affect so many people outside ourselves. Life is hard enough.

Wed, 07/01/2009 - 11:49pm - Posted by: rathernotsay

I am the only one in a family of 4 who is working at this time. I broke my leg in a fall and was out of work for 8 weeks. Two months rent and two kids to think about. We had NO ONE to help us out. Him having kids and a pregnant, welfare would have more than helped him. I was not so lucky, I had to stress and struggle to try and survive...find how to get the rent for two months paid, fight an electric shut off, etc. I didn't rob a bank or do anything illegal, I wasn't treated nicely when I had to ask for help. I left the DHS office in tears and $150 in help.

"Nordman said he spent the rest of the money on beer, cigarettes and gas." You want empathy for that? I have more empathy for someone who stole to pay the bills and was caught in the landlord's office as they handed over the rent.

"He located $3,379 in cash in a front pants pocket and the demand note in another pocket." Beer in hand and cigerette in his mouth? At least pick the kids up a little something while you're at it!

Sympathy, empathy...I obey the law and got none when I broke my leg. Belittling and degradetion is what I got! I obey the law.

Wed, 07/01/2009 - 11:15pm - Posted by: Pat Longbottom

I would think if his top priority were his kids, he would not have committed a felony? I think mental retardation would be a viable defense in this case. Anyone know him?

Wed, 07/01/2009 - 11:21am - Posted by: darth_r8r

I have to say I agree with Macresident..straight and to the point!!

Wed, 07/01/2009 - 1:26am - Posted by: macresident001

if his top priority was his kids his first stop wouldnt have been to the gas station for beer and smokes it would have been to the landlord to catch up on rent. He is nothing but a selfish waste of human air space!!!!!!

Tue, 06/30/2009 - 2:12pm - Posted by: bearluver

to all the ppl that leave these dumb comments, he is a cool guy if you all only knew what really happened, i think he felt he had no other option he was late on rent he has a new baby coming and 5 kids i think he was trying to take care if his kids and the stuff has been printed is stupid if you all beleive what you read then you are all stupid i know him he is a good guy....... he did nothing but take care of his kids..........now his crack head ex wife has those kids i can not beleive he did this