VAIL, Iowa (KTIV) -
Authorities need the public's help nabbing a man they say robbed the Westside State Bank at 9:10 Saturday morning.
Crawford County Sheriff Jim Steinkuehler describes the suspect as a white male in his 30's or 40's, 5'8"-5'9", with a red goatee. Steinkuehler says witnesses told him the man had a red goatee and was wearing sunglasses.
Steinkuehler when he demanded money, he threatened the teller with a Molotov cocktail, or improvised incendiary device. Authorities say the man did not use the homemade bomb. Instead, he took an undisclosed amount of cash and left on foot.
Westside State Bank President Matt Lujano could not comment on the robbery, other than to confirm that it had happened.
Steinkuehler says he's investigating the possibility that Saturday morning's robbery was tied to two other robbery that have happened in the area in recent months. Citizens 1st National Bank in Early, Iowa was robbed on January 11th. Iowa State Bank in Odebolt, Iowa was robbed in late December.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Crawford County Sheriff's Department: 712-263-2146.
