Three bank robbery suspects elude capture

One of the four suspects federal investigators say robbed a Cape Girardeau bank this week appeared in federal court Wednesday while her three male accomplices remained on the loose.

Toria W. Lawrence, 20, of 145 Cardinal, Sikeston, Mo., appeared before a U.S. district judge in Cape Girardeau after a criminal complaint was filed by FBI special agent Thomas J. Blades Jr. Her next court appearance is scheduled for Friday.

In the four-page complaint, Blades says Lawrence entered the Bank of America branch at 800 Kingshighway before the robbery to survey the inside and drove the getaway car, a rented silver 2004 Buick Century. Approximately $10,300 was stolen.

The three men are now possibly driving a dark green, four-door 1998 Ford Taurus with a temporary license plate number in the window, said supervising agent Mike McComas. The suspects are: Derek E. "Rio" Riggs, 24, of Bloomfield, Ill., and Corey D. "Blue" or "Komo" Lyons, 30, and Dareme P. "Sammy" Tipler, 24, both of Charleston, Mo.

Investigators say a witness saw the Buick park at the St. Andrew Lutheran Church lot at 804 N. Cape Rock Road at approximately 9:30 a.m. The car had a female driver and three male passengers. The woman got out and walked into the bank, then came out 10 to 15 minutes later and drove away. The witness told investigators he was suspicious because she didn't use the bank's parking lot.

An hour later, the same witness saw three men standing in a rear parking lot of a business next to the bank wearing black hats or "do-rags" and looking at leaves on the ground.

At 10:43 a.m., the men entered the bank, showed at least two handguns and ordered those inside to the ground. Two suspects vaulted the counter and the third remained in the lobby.

Interviews with witnesses led investigators to a bank surveillance photograph of Lawrence, Blades said in his statement. Seeing her photo in the local media that same day prompted Lawrence to call authorities to ask why her face was on the news and for the photo to be removed.

Lawrence talked with authorities that evening and "eventually admitted to investigators that she was involved in the robbery," Blades said in his statement. She identified the three men through photos. She also told investigators that she had driven by another bank earlier in the day before they decided on the Bank of America.

Lawrence told investigators that they drove to Sikeston and counted the money. She turned over $139 of the bank money to agents, Blades said in his statement.

The three men are considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the FBI at 335-2511 or Cape Girardeau police at 335-6621.

mwells@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 160