Man sentenced in Nov. 2011 bank robery

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. (WOOD) - A man who robbed a Battle Creek bank last year and then led police on a 30-mile chase into Kalamazoo County will spend at least 15 years in prison.

Sherman George Wimberly was sentenced Friday to 66 months in prison and 5 years probation for bank robbery. He was also sentenced to 120 months in prison and 5 years probation for discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.

He'll serve the prison sentences back-to-back, but probation will be served concurrently.

He was also sentenced to pay $200 in special assessments and restitution to the tune of $866.

Wimberly robbed the Southwest Michigan Federal Credit Union in Battle Creek on Nov. 28, 2011. He fired a shot into the ceiling, jumped on top of a counter and demanded money.

After getting some cash, he took off. He led police on a chase west on I-94 for about 30 miles into Kalamazoo County until he was stopped at the Sprinkle Road exit.

Authorities said tha t citizens helped them track the vehicle and recover evidence Wimberly threw out of the getaway car's window.