Robber with 'blow-up' note leaves bag

NILES, Mich. (WOOD) - A cash reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of the person responsible for robbing and threatening to blow up a Berrien County bank.

The suspect walked into the Chemical Bank, 407 E. Main Street in Niles, at 11:28 a.m. Feb. 15, handed a teller a note, stating he/she demanded money and that he/she threatened to blow up the bank if the police were called.

The suspect was given some cash, exited the bank and last seen walking north on Fifth Street from the bank toward Sycamore Street.

The Caucasian suspect, whose gender is unknown, is described as being between 35 to 45 years old, 5 feet 5 inches to 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing about 220 pounds, and wearing a blue, hooded winter coat; a black, winter hat; black gloves; and sunglasses.

The suspect left a bag in the bank.

The bank employees secured the building and exited as members of the Niles Police Department arrived.

A Berrien County Sheriff's Department Bomb Squad was called to the scene and investigated the bag, which turned out to be not a threat.

Members of the Michigan State Police and FBI assisted at the scene.

No one was injured during the incident.

The Niles Police Department is asking anyone with more information about this incident or who can identify the suspect in the surveillance footage to call 269.683.1313, text 274637 starting your text message with the keyword: tipnilespd, or submit a tip online to Niles police at www.tipsoft.com.