Suspect allegedly steals money, car from man at ATM

Elkhart Police arrested a man who is accused of robbing a man using an ATM and stealing his car

A man using the ATM early Wednesday morning was robbed at knifepoint and his car was stolen, according to Elkhart Police.

An officer was in the area of Vistula Street and W. Lexington Avenue at 12:15 a.m. Wednesday when he attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a 2004 Ford Taurus.

The driver did not stop and quickly drove away, police said.

The officer observed the vehicle rolling toward the back porch of 310 W. Lexington.

As officers approached the vehicle, the car was empty.

At approximately 12:30 a.m., a man entered the Elkhart Police Department and reported his 2004 Ford Taurus stolen. The victim told police he was using an ATM in the 300 block of S. Main Street when a man approached him and threatened him with a knife, reports said.

The suspect took his money and car.

The suspect was described as a black male, 5’11” tall, weighing 175 pounds, in his mid-40s wearing a red hooded sweatshirt.

In the area of W. Lexington, police used a K-9 to search for the man who fled from police in the area where he was last seen.

Officers located a man hiding behind an air conditioning unit in the 200 block of S. 4th Street.

Police said the man matched the description of the robbery suspect.

The vehicle left at the Lexington address was the car reported stolen, police said.

Ricky Dates, 55 years old of Gary Indiana, was arrested for robbery, auto theft, leaving the scene of a crash and two warrants.