Sikeston bank robbed

An officer with the Sikeston Department of Public Safety searches a van as it leaves Lowe's.

SIKESTON - The search continues today for a man who robbed a Sikeston bank Thursday afternoon.

The Regions Bank, 1205 S. Main St., was robbed at about 2:30 p.m. Thursday.

Sikeston Department of Public Safety Director Drew Juden said a black male entered the bank and ordered all employees to lie on the floor. The man then jumped over the counter and began taking money from the tellers' money drawers.

"There was no visible weapon during the robbery," Juden said.

After the suspect left the bank, he fled in vehicle which was stolen from the Lowe's parking lot. The suspect abandoned the stolen car behind the Office Max store and was last seen running north behind Applebee's Restaurant.

Sikeston DPS detective Jim McMillian processes a vehicle allegedly stolen from the Lowe's parking lot by the robbery suspect.

Officers with DPS worked in co-operation with Lowe's to limit access to the business while vehicles leaving the business were searched in hopes of finding the suspect to ensure the safety of the public, according to DPS officials.

The bank was closed for the rest of the business day while Federal Bureau of Investigation officials and DPS detectives interviewed victims and witnesses at the bank. The bank re-opened for business today.

The investigation following the robbery included a joint effort by DPS with the Missouri State Highway patrol which searched by aircraft, the FBI, the Scott and New Madrid county sheriff's departments and the Miner Police who checked Interstate 55.

The suspect is described as a 6-feet tall with a stocky build. He was clean-

shaven and had short hair. At the time of the robbery he was wearing an all-

black running suit.

Anyone with information about the event is asked to contact DPS at 571

-1500 or 471-4711.