Johnathan Evans

Johnathan Michael Evans, 31, 723 W. Blaine Ave., Elkhart, is facing four charges in Kosciusko County following the alleged robbery of Low Bob’s Discount Tobacco, North Detroit Street, Warsaw, on the afternoon of June 18.

Charges of robbery with a deadly weapon, level 3 felony; possession of a firearm by a serious, violent felon, a level 4 felony; intimidation with a deadly weapon, level 5 felony; and theft, a level 6 felony, were filed Wednesday, June 24, in Kosciusko Superior Court 1.

A level 3 felony carries a 3- to 20-year sentence. A level 4 felony carries a 2- to 12-year sentence. A level 5 felony carries a 1- to 6-year sentence, and a level 6 felony carries a 6-month to 2 1/2-year sentence.

He is currently held in the Elkhart County Detention Center following his arrest Tuesday evening by Elkhart City Police Department, assisted by the Indiana State Police and Warsaw Police. (Related: Low Bob’s Robbery Suspect In Custody)

Evans is allegedly the suspect in several other burglaries in Elkhart County occurring earlier June 23. One of these may be a robbery at a business on CR 7, Elkhart, where a 62-year-old individual in the store was struck in the head and face. Money and a laptop were stolen from that business and the suspect left the scene in a white passenger car. Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department would not identify or state any suspects in this open investigation.

Court Documents

A court filed affidavit of probable cause, in Kosciusko County, states at 2:53 p.m. June 18, Warsaw City Police Officer Jason Dobbins responded to an armed robbery at Low Bob’ Discount Tobacco. A black male entered the store and was talking on his cell phone at the time. The individual looked around and asked for two boxes of cigarettes. The employee turned to get the cigarettes and when she turned around, the male was pointing a black handgun at her. He told her to open the cash register or he would shoot.

Once told she could not open the cash register, the robber ordered her on the floor. The male was able to open the register and remove a large amount of cash. The employee was told not to get up or she would be killed. She did see the individual leave in a white passenger vehicle.

Police reviewed a surveillance video, showing the robber had left the cell phone behind. Obtaining a search warrant for the phone, police discovered Evans was the owner. Photographs of Evans and contacts of family members were also found.

A photograph of Evans was obtained from the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department and compared with those from the phone. The photo was also compared with the store’s surveillance video. All comparisons indicated It appeared to be the same individual.

Additionally Warsaw City Police Officer Ross Minear had observed a white Cadillac at the Meijer gas station, shortly after the burglary. The vehicle contained three black males and a black female in a white Cadillac. After being shown a photograph of Evans, the officer identified Evans as one of the occupants.

Using contacts in Evans’ cell phone, police obtained further verification of its owner. One individual stated during the evening of June 18, Evans had made contact with her stating he had purchased a new phone.

Police also found a text message from Evans’ mother warning him police were looking for him.

The affidavit notes on Oct. 26, 2009, Evans had been convicted of burglary in Elkhart County.

According to Elkhart County Superior Court II records Evans was arrested in January 2009 on charges of burglary and being a habitual criminal offender. On Oct. 26, through a plea agreement, the habitual criminal offender charge was dismissed, and he was sentenced for burglary. His sentence was 18 years in the Indiana Department of Corrections, with six years suspended, to be served on probation. During the last year of confinement he was ordered to be placed through the Elkhart County Community Corrections Program. However, a month later the EDDD learned of an outstanding warrant from Kosciusko County, making him ineligible for the program.

A warrant on a charge of domestic battery from Kosciusko County Superior Court II had been issued at that time. But it was dismissed in July 2013. There is also a pending protective order against him through Kosciusko County.

A chronological case summery indicates on April 15, Elkhart County Community Corrections filed an electronic monitoring agreement.

On June 7, a charge of escape, defendant knowingly or intentionally violating a home detention order or intent, was filed. The charge is a level 6 felony. A warrant was issued on June 23. Also a bench warrant for violation of probation was issued on June 25.