Man charged in robberies in Eastern and Central Iowa

A man accused in armed robberies in eastern and central Iowa is behind bars after a chase. 47-year-old Benjamin Langford was released from prison in January after serving 15 years for robbing an Iowa City drug store. Police say he’s the same man seen on videotape holding up a Hills Bank and Trust Branch in Iowa City on Monday. Des Moines police say a man matching Langford’s description robbed a downtown restaurant and an employee spotted Langford in the area Wednesday afternoon. The responding officer chased the suspect through the skywalk system and into a parking garage where Langford surrendered — and was found carrying a loaded handgun, extra bullets and 44-hundred dollars cash.