May 23, 2004
Section: World;Nation
Page: 1A

Officials find car possibly linked to St. Martin robbery suspect

Kelly Scott
Staff
St. Cloud Times Metro

ST. MARTIN - Authorities investigated several leads Saturday but didn’t arrest anyone in connection with Friday’s armed robbery of St. Martin’s only bank.

Law enforcement continues to ask for the public’s help in identifying the suspect, Stearns County detective Tim DesMarais said. A photograph of the suspect was captured on security video in the bank and released to the public.

Police in Paynesville recovered a car Saturday that they believe the robber used, DesMarais said. The newer green Dodge Neon was reported stolen Friday from a dealership in St. Cloud, he said. The sheriff’s department is looking for information on that car.

Authorities also want information from anyone who gave a stranger a ride from the Paynesville area or sold a vehicle to a stranger after the robbery.

On Friday afternoon, a man went into St. Martin National Bank, approached a teller’s window, showed a handgun concealed in his waistband and demanded cash. The man took an undisclosed amount of money from the bank in a white plastic bag.

The Stearns County Sheriff’s Department is working with the FBI, something that routinely happens in investigations of bank robberies.

Robbery suspect description

The robbery suspect was described as a white man, 20 to 24 years old, 5 feet 11 inches tall and 145 to 155 pounds. The suspect has a very light complexion, dark crew-cut hair and a neat appearance. He was wearing a blue hooded zip-up sweatshirt. The suspect used a handgun and wore a latex glove on one hand. Anyone with information should call the Stearns County Sheriff’s Department at 251-4240.

Photo courtesy of Stearns County Sheriff’s Department
This is a still photo from a St. Martin National Bank surveillance tape.