Officer Richard Dean Swope arrested bank robbery

[KC]

August 09, 2006 - OMAHA, Neb. -- A former police officer sits behind bars and is accused of robbing a bank in Anita, Iowa.

The robbery took place Tuesday at the First National Bank.

Officer Richard Dean Swope, 40, was arrested in connection with the robbery. Authorities said that witnesses reported his license plate to police.

Authorities said that Swope walked into the bank and fired his gun, nearly hitting a manager.

Swope resigned from the Corning Police Department three years ago.

www.ketv.com/news/9656374/detail.html

[KC]

Judge grants delay in robbery trial of former police officer





DES MOINES (AP) — A federal judge has delayed the trial of a former police officer accused of robbing a bank in southwest Iowa.

Richard Swope, of Atlantic, is charged with robbing the First National Bank in Anita last August.

According to authorities, the robber ordered the officer manager to lie on the floor of the bank before firing a shot. No one was hurt.

Swope was arrested at his home hours later.

U.S. District Judge James Gritzner on Friday agreed to postpone the trial.

James Whelan, Swope's attorney, requested the delay, which was unopposed by the government. The trial, which was scheduled to begin Jan. 8, is now set for Feb. 5.

According to the trial motion, Swope will be undergoing a psychiatric examination and his attorney is in the process of gathering medical and psychiatric records and other information needed to conduct the evaluation.

It is the third time the trial has been continued.

State officials have said that Swope served as a police officer in four Iowa towns — Grundy Center, Villisca, Corning and Clarinda.

According to state records, Swope's last job in law enforcement ended in December 2003, when he left the Corning police department.

www.globegazette.com/articles/2007/01/01/latest_news/doc459990f36a465864495491.txt