Gavenda

With help from a few Middleton citizens that were well aware of their community and surroundings, the Gratiot County Sheriff’s office was able to quickly apprehend alleged bank robber, 35 year old, Paul Michael Gavenda of Ithaca, after he held up the Commercial Bank in Middleton on December 22.

Gavenda, who was arraigned on the same day, is now being charged with three felony counts of armed robbery (one count for each bank teller), one count of fleeing and eluding police, and one count of resisting and obstructing police, according to Gratiot County Prosecutor, Keith Kushion.

The maximum sentence for armed robbery is life in prison, while the fleeing and eluding and resisting and obstructing charges carry a maximum of two years in prison.

According to Kushion, Gavenda, who is presumed innocent until proven guilty, allegedly arrived in Middleton around 9 a.m. last Tuesday wearing a mask and carrying a weapon,

He then walked into Commercial Bank, brandished what appeared to be a handgun, which turned out later to be a BB gun, and demanded money from three bank tellers.

After Gavenda received an undisclosed amount of cash, he exited the bank and was then observed by three private citizens, one of whom made a call to 911, and two others that pursued the suspect, one on foot and the other in his vehicle.

Gavenda then got into his own vehicle and headed south out of Middleton on Ely Highway.

An officer spotted him as he crossed M-57 and a chase ensued.

According to sources, the suspect then drove down Ely Highway, south of the Gratiot County Line and into Clinton County.

Gavenda eventually abandoned his car in a ditch near the intersection of N. Wright Rd, and W. Maple Rapids.

He continued eluding on foot and discarded his weapon, all while being chased by the Gratiot County Police, Clinton County Police, Montcalm County Police and the Michigan State Police, before surrendering shortly later in a field.

Paul Michael Gavenda is now being held on a $1 million dollar bond, imposed by 65th District Court Judge Stewart McDonald, while he awaits his preliminary hearing on January 5 at 1:30 pm.

“This is what I like to consider a team effort,” said Gratiot County Sheriff Rick Beracy. “I would like to give a lot of credit to the county citizens for being aware of their surroundings and being concerned when something seems out of the ordinary. These citizens did buy us some time, which we can credit to this suspect’s arrest.”

Though it is not recommended to take the law into your own hands, Berracy appreciates community members for being helpful when something doesn’t seem right.

“If something seems out of the ordinary and suspicious in your community, call 911,” says Beracy. “And let us determine the appropriate actions to take. We are always very appreciative of the community for keeping an eye out for us.”