66-year-old man who robbed same bank twice jailed in 'sad final chapter'

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — A 66-year-old man who robbed the same bank twice – the second time just days after his release from prison – has been sentenced to prison.

John Leon Tipton was sentenced Wednesday, Sept. 4, to 12 to 30 years in prison for armed robbery. Police say he robbed a Fifth Third Bank branch at 28th Street SW and Michael Avenue on March 22.

He robbed the same bank on August 11, 2022.

In court Wednesday, Tipton's attorney said his client was suffering from worsening dementia and that a prison sentence “seemed like a sad final chapter” for him.

Tipton used a walker to help him get in and out of the courtroom.

According to court documents, he robbed the bank in March, just days after his release from prison on March 7 for the previous robbery.

Judge Christina Elmore noted that Tipton had 14 prior felonies and nine prior misdemeanors.

Elmore said Tipton had instilled fear among bank employees.

The police investigation revealed that Tipton went to the branch in March and told a teller he needed cash. The conversation then turned more serious.

“You told him, 'I have a gun and I'm going to kill you if you don't give me all the money,'” Elmore said.

After managing to escape with the money, police found Tipton later that day in a hotel parking lot. He had some of the stolen cash on him.

Tipton's attorney, speaking of his client's past, said he had had good times in his life, including “faithful service to his country.”

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