Illinois man accused of concealing weapon, shooting at bank

A Southern Illinois man faces two felony weapons charges after police say he brandished a gun inside a Cape Girardeau restaurant Sunday morning and shot several windows at a bank.

Corey B. Lasley, 27, of Olive Branch, Ill., is charged with two counts of unlawful use of a weapon, for carrying the gun concealed without a permit and shooting a firearm at a building, both felonies.

Cape Girardeau Police Department spokesman Darin Hickey said police were called to Denny's restaurant in Cape Girardeau at about 1 a.m. Sunday in reference to a man with a firearm. Patrolman Darrin Sides said in a probable-cause statement that restaurant management complained of several people causing a disturbance and using racial slurs. Sides said he searched the members of the party allegedly causing the disturbance and found a .40-caliber semi-automatic handgun in Lasley's waistband. Lasley didn't have a concealed carry permit and was drunk, according to Sides. A witness told Sides that Lasley was flashing the gun at customers, while using derogatory terms about blacks and homosexuals.

Lasley was arrested and charged with unlawful use of a weapon before being released.

Later that morning, police were called to First State Community Bank in Cape Girardeau at about 11 a.m. in reference to gunshots that were fired into several windows, Hickey said. Lasley also was charged with causing the damage, which happened overnight.

According to a probable-cause statement, Lasley admitted to Cape Girardeau police that he fired a gun out of a moving vehicle in the area of the bank on the way to Denny's from a Cape Girardeau bar.

Lasley posted bond Monday, according to online court records, but didn't have a lawyer listed Tuesday afternoon. Bond conditions stipulate that Lasley not carry a firearm, drink alcoholic beverages or be with anyone who is drinking. His arraignment is set for 1 p.m. Monday before Judge Gary Kamp.

msanders@semissourian.com

388-3652

Pertinent address:

161 West Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO

2527 William St., Cape Girardeau, MO