Cape man arrested in robbery of bank in Iowa

DAVENPORT, Iowa -- A former long-distance runner and award-winning car salesman from Cape Girardeau accused in a Davenport bank robbery on Tuesday is now being investigated by the FBI in connection with other robberies in nearby states, police said.

When Mark David Payne, 34, of Cape Girardeau entered Valley Bank, he did not count on bank credit analyst Brad McCorkle, a former University of Iowa track athlete, also walking in at about the same time.

The suspect pulled a ski mask over his face, hopped over the counter and demanded money from a teller, according to a media release by police. He grabbed cash from opened drawers and then fled on foot across the parking lot. The robber did not display a weapon, and no one was harmed.

McCorkle ran after the suspect, but paused when the robber turned and pretended to have a gun in his pocket while the two were behind a supermarket.

"Don't make me do it," the suspect told McCorkle.

But McCorkle saw through the ruse and the chase resumed.

McCorkle waved down a police car, and the suspect jumped over a fence into a yard. McCorkle, dressed in a business suit, leaped after him.

That was when the suspect offered him half the money to let him go, McCorkle said.The suspect continued to run, but he surrendered to the officer in the patrol car, who drew his gun and arrested him a few blocks from the bank.

A vehicle found nearby was identified as belonging to Payne. It was towed and impounded as evidence.

Payne was charged with first-degree robbery. He is being held in the Scott County, Iowa, Jail on $32,500 bond.

While local authorities confirmed the FBI was investigating to see if Payne was linked to other robberies, no specific cases were mentioned.

Back in March, Payne pleaded guilty in Cape Girardeau County to third-degree assault and was placed on two years probation and ordered to pay a $300 fine.

He is a 1986 graduate of Chaffee High School in Chaffee, Mo. In 1999, he received a sales award from a local car dealership. Payne has been a long-time participant in regional sporting events, primarily long-distance running. He won the Riverfest one-mile run in 1999. In 1992, he competed against the former television stars of "American Gladiators" at a local event.

Todd Ruger of the Quad-City Times contributed to this report.