Car located, but Sikeston Applebee's robbery suspect still at large

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Sikeston police have located a stolen car used as a getaway vehicle in Monday morning's robbery of Applebee's, but the suspect in the robbery is still at large, according to a news release from the Sikeston Department of Public Safety.

The car, a blue Pontiac Sunfire, was located around noon Monday on Lynn Street in the Mini-Farms Subdivision near Sikeston. The car was allegedly stolen by the man who robbed the restaurant and bar.

The Sikeston Department of Public Safety was alerted around 6:30 a.m. Monday to an armed robbery at Applebee's Bar and Grill, 1260 S. Main. The suspect is a black male between 5 foot and 5 foot four inches tall, and small in stature, weighing about 130 pounds, Sgt. Jim McMillen, public information officer for DPS, said Monday.

According to the two workers who were there taking inventory, the incident occurred just after 6 a.m. The two heard a buzzer and then answered the back door, thinking it was a delivery.

"But, it was a male with a handgun," said McMillen. The suspect had a bandana over his face and demanded money. Workers gave him an undisclosed amount of cash.

"He then told them to get into the cooler," said McMillen. "They listened and he left."

When DPS officials arrived on the scene, they cut through the back gate to gain access into the building. Neither worker received any physical injuries during the incident.

Anyone with information is asked to contact DPS at 471-6200 or the CrimeStoppers line at 471-1500.

Pertinent address:

1260 S. Main St., Sikeston, Mo.