An armed man escaped with approximately $3,500 in cash yesterday (Wednesday) after robbing BTC Bank on Business Route 36 in south Chillicothe.
According to Capt. Tony Kirkendoll of the Chillicothe Police Department, the suspect entered the front door of the bank at about 2 p.m., approached a teller and demanded money while brandishing a handgun.
After receiving the cash, the suspect left the business and bank employees, following procedure, quickly locked all of the building’s doors. In doing so, one employee saw the suspect’s vehicle as it left the area.
Authorities say the man was last seen in a white Chrysler or Dodge late-model minivan traveling east on Business 36. Anyone spotting the mini van or suspect is urged to contact the CPD or nearest FBI office.
The suspect is described as a white male, between the ages of 35 to 45 years old, weighs between 250 and 300 pounds. He has dark hair and a mustache and was wearing a black ball cap, a dark shirt and coat, sunglasses and blue jeans. He was armed with a black, semi-automatic handgun.
Kirkendoll says the suspect is wanted in connection with similar robberies last year at Excel Bank in Sedalia, Town & Country Bank in Rolla, and Commerce Bank in Moberly. The amount of cash the suspect escapes with at each robbery has varied, Kirkendoll said.
“He wears the same hat and sunglasses (at each robbery),” Kirkendoll said. He did note that some pictures show the suspect with salt and pepper-colored hair.
After the Chillicothe bank was robbed, all area law enforcement was notified, Kirkendoll said, and photos of the bank robber and his vehicle have been sent “to everyone we can think of.” He also noted that the FBI is involved in the case.
