East Chicago man wanted in series of NW Indiana robberies: FBI

Ryan Smith is accused of four northwest Indiana robberies, at least three of which were at knifepoint, since Sept. 21, according to a statement from the FBI’s Indianapolis Field Office.

By Sun-Times Wire

A 22-year-old man was fatally shot October 18, 2021 in Roseland. — The FBI is looking for a man wanted in connection with four armed robberies since Sept. 21, 2019, in northwest Indiana.

Federal authorities are looking for a man suspected in a series of armed robberies this month in northwest Indiana.

Ryan Smith, 56, is accused of robbing an Allied Cash Advance payday lender at knifepoint about 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at 4802 Indianapolis Blvd. in East Chicago, Indiana, according to a statement from the FBI’s Indianapolis Field Office.

Ryan Smith, 56, is suspected in a series of northwest Indiana robberies in September 2019. — Ryan Smith, 56, is wanted in connection with a series of northwest Indiana robberies in September 2019.

He is accused of handing over a note and holding a knife against an employee’s abdomen during a hold-up about 6:50 p.m. Sept. 22 at Family Dollar, 130 E. Ridge Road in Griffith, the FBI said.

The day before, Smith is suspected of handing over a note and implying he had a gun during a robbery at 11:31 p.m. at Briar East Liquors in Hammond, according to the FBI. He was also allegedly armed with a knife.

Earlier that day, Smith allegedly used a note and implied he had a firearm at 12:36 p.m. to rob Boost Mobile, 2741 169th St. in Hammond, according to the FBI.

While Smith, of East Chicago, has not been formally charged, FBI spokeswoman Chris Bavender said he is a suspect in all four robberies and “should be considered armed and dangerous.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI”s Merrillville Resident Agency Gang Response Investigative Team at 219-942-4900 or the Indianapolis office at 317-595-4000.

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