Published: July 23, 2008 01:01 pm         

Gunman holds up bank

ST. PETER — The First State Bank of St. Peter is open for business today after being robbed at gunpoint about noon Tuesday.

State Police District 12 took the robbery suspect, Walter K. Campbell, 39, of Mattoon into custody in mid-afternoon after a chase through the country and down the interstate. He was to be arraigned today.

Bank President Larry Magnus was singing praises for his employees this morning for keeping their cool during the harrowing experience which began about 11:50 a.m.

“I thought they (the employees) did an excellent job,” Magnus said.

According to Magnus, bank employees set off a silent alarm when the suspect left the bank with an undisclosed amount of cash.

An off-duty St. Peter Police officer began pursuing the suspect immediately following the robbery, which included a northbound chase down the Altamont blacktop and then westbound on Interstate 70, according to radio traffic.

State Police and Fayette County Sheriff’s deputies picked up the chase, pursuing the gray car until it came to a stop on the interstate.

According to witness reports, Campbell had the gun pointed on himself for some time while surrounded by police. The interstate was shut down and police surrounded the car for a period of time before officers were able to take Campbell into custody. Police, however, would not confirm details about the incident until the suspect was arraigned and formally charged.

The incident is believed to have ended shortly before 3 p.m.

Illinois State Police District 12 Sgt. Kelly Hodge said he could not give any additional information because he was prohibited by law from releasing information before the suspect is arraigned.

Fayette County State’s Attorney Stephen Friedel said Campbell is being charged with armed robbery and unlawful use of a weapon. Campbell is scheduled to make his first appearance in Fayette County Circuit Court in Vandalia today, but he said a specific time for that appearance had not been confirmed this morning.

Friedel said he could not release any additional information because the case is still pending and he did not have all the information from the investigation.

Magnus said police told him the employees’ stories were consistent with each other and the information the police received by the employees was probably as good as it was going to get.

The bank closed after the robbery Tuesday, but this morning it was business as usual.

Jackie Gorski can be reached at 217-347-7151 ext. 136 or at jackie.gorski@effinghamdailynews.com.