This Boise man robbed Idaho bank, led police on I-84 chase. He’s prison-bound
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A Boise man was sentenced to nine years in federal prison Tuesday for a bank robbery in Mountain Home, which resulted in a police chase that went both directions on Interstate 84.
Leon Jason Fortner, 57, entered a Chase Bank in Mountain Home last August and threatened the teller station that his backpack contained an explosive device that he would detonate if they didn’t hand over “all their cash,” according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice.
The tellers gave Fortner all the cash in the tills before he fled in a nearby vehicle driven by another individual. Officers disabled the vehicle after a high-speed chase through Mountain Home and on I-84, the release said. According to previous Idaho Statesman reporting, the vehicle drove westbound toward Boise before jumping the median and heading back toward Mountain Home.
Officers found the stolen money in Fortner’s possession, but his backpack did not contain any explosives, according to the release. Air Force bomb disposal units were called to assist the search on the day of the robbery.
The “original getaway driver,” who had no knowledge of the crime, was released, according to officials and previous Statesman reporting. Fortner confirmed to police that the original driver had no idea about the robbery.
“Mr. Fortner threatened the lives of bank employees and endangered the lives of law enforcement officers and motorists during his dangerous attempt to avoid capture,” Acting U.S. Attorney Justin Whatcott said. “Nine years in federal prison is an appropriate punishment for this crime.”
Fortner pleaded guilty in February to bank robbery. In addition to the prison term, the judge ordered him to serve three years of supervised release once he is no longer incarcerated, the release said.
