OSP Seeks Help in Finding Suspect's Family

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The name of the suspect who committed suicide on April 10 after allegedly robbing a bank in Ontario has been released and law enforcement officials are seeking the public’s help in locating his next of kin.

Ontario Bank Robbery Suspect
The OSP have released three photos of Joseph Thomas Johnston from 2012, 2010 and 2007.
Joseph Thomas Johnston, 71, shot himself shortly after a bank robbery in Ontario. The suicide was witnessed by an Ontario police officer. The Oregon State Police say investigators have exhausted all available means to find Johnston’s relatives.

Johnston’s last known residence was in Mohave Valley, Ariz., where he reportedly lived alone in a mobile home park. According to the OSP, he left his residence March 1, 2014, in his 1987 Dodge pickup on his way to an unknown location in the Pacific Northwest to see a friend named “Paul” who was reported ill and being cared for by the friend’s daughter.

Investigators learned Johnston was diabetic and his pickup contained 10 oxygen tanks used to help him with personal medical problems. He is described as a white male, 5’10”, 200 pounds, with gray hair. He had no tattoos.

Johnston is reported to have ties in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, Montana, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, Ohio, Maryland, and Florida. Investigators don’t know if he has any siblings and unconfirmed information indicates his parents are deceased and he may have been married in the past.

OSP, OPD and FBI are being assisted by Ada County, Idaho Coroner’s Office. Anyone with information to help locate next of kin is asked to call OSP Detective Javier Marquez at (541) 889-6469 ext. 752 or email Javier.marquez@state.or.us.

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