Illinois man indicted in October Bank of Missouri robberies

Two robberies of the same bank about three weeks apart were the work of a single bandit, federal prosecutors alleged Thursday.

George R. Chesnut, 46, of Alton, Ill., was indicted on four felony counts tied to the Oct. 6, 2008, and Oct. 30, 2008, robberies at the Bank of Missouri branch at 372 N. Kingshighway, Federal prosecutor Catherine Hanaway announced. In each of the robberies, the thief showed a weapon to tellers as he demanded cash.

In the first robbery, Chesnut is accused of entering the bank around noon and stealing $17,210 after showing the teller a note and displaying a handgun. In the second robbery, which took place when area police were focused on the campaign visit of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin at the Show Me Center, the thief showed a semi-automatic weapon and was given $4,640 by the teller.

At the time of the second robbery, Cape Girardeau police reported that the description of the suspect in that holdup was similar to the description obtained of the suspect in the first robbery.

Chesnut faces two counts of armed bank robbery and two counts of possession of a firearm used in furtherance of a crime of violence. He faces a maximum sentence of 25 years for each bank robbery count and a maximum sentence of life in prison on the firearms charges.

Scene outside the Bank of Missouri after the Oct. 30 robbery. (File photo)

rkeller@semissourian.com

388-2642

Pertinent addresses:

372 N. Kingshighway, Cape Girardeau, Mo.

555 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.