Wichita man given more than seven years in bank robbery

By Associated Press / John Wright

CREATED Jan. 7, 2013

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(AP) A Wichita man has been sentenced to seven years and eight months in prison for helping his brother rob a bank.

U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said Monday that 24-year-old Justin Cooper pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting bank robbery. Prosecutors say Cooper drove his brother, Lessie Cooper, to a Commerce Bank branch on March 16.
 
Lessie Cooper pointed a gun at bank tellers and fled with money. Dye packs exploded as he returned to the car and a nearby police officer gave chase.
 
When the car stopped, Justin Cooper surrendered but Lessie Cooper ran into a home and hid under a bed, where police found him.  Lessie Cooper was sentenced to more than 12 years in federal prison.
 
U.S. Attorney for Kansas Barry Grissom commended the Wichita Police Department, the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Treaster for their work on the case.