Lilbourn bank robbers linked to bomb threat

CAPE GIRARDEAU - The three men captured in a bank robbery at Lilbourn could now face federal charges in connection with the making of bomb threats and placement of hoax devices in Cape Girardeau, including a U.S. Post Office.

Stephen L. Morris, acting special agent in charge, stated in a press release that the investigation into the Aug. 17 bank robbery at Lilbourn determined the subjects initially had intended to rob a bank in the Cape Girardeau area.

A series of bomb threats were telephoned into the Cape Girardeau Police Department earlier that same day and appear to have been made by the subjects as part of a diversion for law enforcement. Four hoax devices were located by members of the Cape Girardeau Police; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Federal Bureau of Investigation and the SEMO Bomb Squad.

The men then robbed the Bank of New Madrid at Lilbourn at 1:20 p.m. Officers from the Lilbourn Police Department observed three individuals matching the description of the robbers and pursued them on foot. Two were immediately placed under arrest and another captured several hours later.

Arraigned Monday in New Madrid County Associate Circuit Court on charges of first degree robbery and armed criminal action were Darnell Moon, 19; Keith Moon, 18; and Lance Lewis, 21, all of Cape Girardeau. Bond is set at $150,000 cash only for each man and ordered to return to court on Sept. 6.