CPD narrows down robbery suspects
September 2, 2016
Submitted Photo | The Daily Eastern News
The Charleston Police Department has been investigating an armed robbery that occurred at Prairie State Bank Wednesday. These photos have been released of the suspect.
The Charleston Police department was able to eliminate several people as suspects for a robbery at Prairie State Bank Wednesday.
As of press time, the suspect, who took $5,800 according to Charleston Detective Tony West, has not been identified.
West said as far as the police know now, the suspect had a small firearm with him.
Deputy Chief Chad Reed said the employees at Prairie State Bank did a good job in being able to note details about the suspect.
“They gave an excellent description of the suspect,” Reed said.
The employees were able to give details on the suspect’s clothing, marks on his body and speech patterns.
During the robbery, which was reported around 2:33 p.m. Wednesday, the suspect entered the building, demanded money and left.
According to a press release sent by the CPD, the suspect displayed a weapon that was described as a silver-colored revolver.
To help banks deal with these situations, the CPD puts on programs with area banks where they go over protocol and procedures for what to do during a robbery. CPD even works with banks to stage mock robberies for practice, Reed said.
Reed said this information is important to be able to locate the suspect.
The CPD located several people who somewhat fit the description given by bank employees, but they were later eliminated as suspects because they did not fit all the details.
Reed said this gave the CPD more time to search for the real suspect.
Community members called into the Coles County Crime Stoppers and CPD with people who fit the description police officers gave.
The CPD, the Eastern Police Department and Coles County Sheriff Department were on the scene.
“As far as I know, the call was placed by phone,” said Lt. Bennett. “We didn’t get a report of the bank alarm; we got a report from a phone call.”
Anyone with information regarding the incident or the identity of the suspect is encouraged to message the CPD on their Facebook page or contact the Coles County Crime Stoppers at 866-345-8488.
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