By By ANDY HAMILTON / Niles Daily Star
NILES – The Michigan State Police Niles Post 53 is searching for an alleged bank robber.
A Michigan State Police press release states the post is investigating a bank robbery that occurred Saturday at about 9:35 a.m. at Four Flags Area Credit Union, 1443 S. Third St.
The report states one suspect entered the credit union alone and allegedly robbed two female employees at gunpoint.
Lt. Michael Brown of the Michigan State Police Niles Post said the suspect was on foot. Brown said the suspect ran north from the credit union through an area of woods toward Niles Chemical Paint, 225 Fort St.
A Niles Police Department K-9 was used to search the wooded area after a direction of travel was established, Brown said. The K-9 lost the track a short time later, Brown said.
Brown said the suspect was never in sight and the tracking of the suspect "wasn't really a pursuit."
The suspect is described as a very dark skinned black male in his early 20s with a very thin build. The suspect is approximately 5 feet, 9 inches tall and weighs 140 to 150 pounds.
The suspect was wearing what appeared to be a dark blue or black nylon running suit with matching top and bottoms. The top also appeared to have a white-colored pattern in the armpit area. The suspect was also known to be wearing a dark-colored baseball style cap.
A small black handgun was allegedly pointed at the time of the robbery.
Pictures from the credit union's surveillance system will be made available to the media Monday afternoon, Brown said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Det./Sgt. Fabian Suarez or Trooper Michael McCarthy at the Michigan State Police Niles Post, 683-4411. Or call Crime Stoppers at (574) 288-STOP or (800) 342-STOP.