Published: November 25, 2009 01:17 pm      

UPDATE: BANK ROBBERY SUSPECT NABBED IN TAYLOR CO.

An Illinois man who robbed the Lafayette State Bank in Mayo Tuesday was taken into custody a short time later in Taylor County, according to Lafayette authorities.

Police say Jacob P. Launius of Murphysboro, Illinois entered the bank at about 11:24 a.m. and placed a handwritten note before the teller saying he had a gun and was robbing the bank. The note reportedly said he would "shoot somebody" if the teller alerted anyone, according to a press release from the Lafayette County Sheriff's Office.

The note instructed the teller to place the money in a bag and give him the keys to her car, as well as write down the make, model, and location of the vehicle. Launius left the building with $8,274 in cash and fled in the victim's car, say police.

Lafayette deputies immediately began a countywide search. A BOLO (Be On the Lookout) was also issued for surrounding counties and the suspect was sighted 45 minutes later by Dixie County sheriff's deputies and pursued into Taylor county where police attempted a traffic stop. A short time later, Launius crashed the car, say police. Still holding the bag of money, he reportedly attempted to flee on foot but was quickly apprehended.

Launius is now in custody in Taylor County and has thus far been charged with reckless driving, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, and fleeing and eluding.