Cab driver helps police capture man suspected of robbing Missouri bank

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Cab driver John Stevens had a bad feeling about a fare he picked up on Friday.

His instincts turned out to be right, and helped in the capture of a suspected bank robber.

Stevens picked up Joseph W. Jean-Louis at the Flag Ship Motel on Friday. Jean-Louis said he wanted to go to Camdenton, an 80-mile trip that would cost about $150.

But Jean-Louis said he needed to stop at the Guaranty Bank to cash a check. That happens to be the bank Stevens uses, and he's lived nearby for decades.

Stevens, 54, said he was suspicious because Jean-Louis was vague and antsy.

"My instinct told me 'something's not right,'" Stevens said.

When his passenger told Stevens to park where there is no view of the bank lobby, Stevens started expecting the worst.

"I watch too many cop shows," he said. "I automatically said, 'Worst-case scenario, he's going to rob this bank.' I started thinking about evidence."

Stevens parked in view of the surveillance camera.

Police say Jean-Louis gave the bank teller a note demanding money and threatening violence. His note hinted he had a weapon, though police didn't find one.

The teller gave Jean-Louis an undisclosed amount of money. Stevens said his fears were confirmed when the suspect left the bank.

"He was running dead flop," he said. "I knew for a fact it was happening, then."

Stevens said he knew he had to stay calm and gather what evidence he could for police.

He calmly told Jean-Louis he needed a $100 deposit before he left for Camdenton. When Jean-Louis handed Stevens a bill, the driver was careful to grab it by the edges to preserve the suspect's fingerprints.

Eventually, the cab approached an area where a police officer was checking vehicle speeds under an overpass. Stevens sped up, hoping to be pulled over. The officer knew about the robbery and that the cab might be a getaway car.

So he pulled Stevens over.

"He's going to give me a speeding ticket," Stevens told his passenger. "I'll take care of it."

Stevens got out of the cab and told the officer of his suspicions. Jean-Louis was arrested and faces federal bank robbery charges.

FBI Special Agent Dave Burlew said Jean-Louis has been convicted of robbing banks throughout the country and spent years in prison. He recently arrived in Springfield with no money.

"I think he was just down on his luck," Burlew said.

After the robbery, Stevens returned to the bank.

"I wanted to apologize for bringing a robber to my bank."