Bank robber says he had hand grenade

Incident similar to Nov. 14 robbery at West Main Street branch.

SPRINGFIELD — The Western branch of Springfield National Bank was robbed Friday for a second time this month by a man who said he had a grenade.

The man, described as a white male, 6-foot tall and weighing 180 to 200 pounds, is similar in description to the suspect who showed a grenade and demanded money in a Nov. 14 robbery, Springfield Police Division Sgt. Dan Harris said at the scene.

He was reportedly wearing a black jacket — possibly a hoody — which he used to pull over his face in the Friday robbery.

It is unknown how much money the suspect got away with in Friday’s robbery that occurred just before 4:35 p.m. at the 920 W. Main St. bank.

Several police units were in the area when the robbery occurred and others were called in to canvass an eight-block radius, but were unable to locate the suspect, Harris said.

He reportedly headed west on foot toward North Western Avenue and the Family Dollar store there. It is unclear whether he got into a getaway vehicle, Harris said.

Springfield News-Sun records indicate the bank was also robbed Oct. 27 and several other times in recent years.

Anyone with information should contact Sgt. Jeff Flores or the on-duty officer after 3 p.m. at (937) 324-7716.

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