Two robberies in two days. And two suspects still on the loose.
Or is it one suspect?
Law enforcement officials are trying to determine if the same person could be responsible for both crimes.
“It does seem odd, but right now we can’t find anything to link them together,” said McMinnville Police investigator Derwin Adcock. “That’s not saying they are not related, but right now we don’t see a link.”
Added McMinnville Police investigator Barry Powers, “Any time you have two robberies in a small town like ours where there are very few robberies, you have to give it some consideration the crimes may be related.”
A suspect described as a white male attempted to rob First National Bank in Morrison on Wednesday around 4 p.m. He was wearing a black hoodie, sunglasses and a scarf.
“He stuck a small bag on the counter, kind of like a shaving kit, and told the teller he wanted some money,” said Matheny. “The teller started joking with him at first until she realized what was happening.”
The suspect did not show a gun and quickly got nervous, according to Matheny.
“He asked the teller if she was going to push the button,” said Matheny. “She asked him, ‘Do I need to push the button?’ and that’s when he fled out of the bank.”
The suspect left without any money and jumped in a Chevy S-10 pickup with a short wheel base. He fled down Jacksboro Road at a high rate of speed. The pickup is described as being goldish in color.
“There was a witness who followed him for a little while on Jacksboro Road,” said Matheny, who indicated the Sheriff’s Department is forming a list of suspects.
The attempted robbery in Morrison came less than 24 hours after Northside Market was robbed Tuesday night around 7 p.m. Northside Market, located on Old Smithville Highway, is inside the city limits so McMinnville Police Department is handling the case.
“He showed a gun and demanded money,” said Adcock, who said the suspect was successful in leaving with an undisclosed amount of cash.
The suspect reportedly entered the store wearing a ski mask. He pulled a handgun and demanded money. The man fled after getting an unspecified amount of cash.
The suspect is described as a white male around 5-foot-6 and in his mid-40s to early 50s. He is described as having a white beard. He is believed to have fled the scene in a small to mid-sized gray car.
The cashier at Northside Market was so upset by the robbery, he went to River Park Hospital complaining of heart trouble.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call McMinnville Police at 473-3386 or Warren County Sheriff’s Department at 473-7863.