Police arrest one after Bank of America robbery

COLUMBIA — Police have arrested one man after the Bank of America on West Broadway was robbed, Acting Police Chief Tom Dresner said.

Maurice Penny Sr., 45, of Boonville was arrested on suspicion of first-degree robbery, a Columbia Police Department news release stated.

At 5 p.m., a man approached the teller window of the Bank of America at 1729 W. Broadway with a note demanding money, the release stated.

The teller gave the man an undisclosed amount of cash and he fled the bank, jumped on a bicycle and rode away, Sgt. Chris Kelley said. The teller then called 911 to report the robbery.

Responding officers caught up to the man and he then jumped off the bike, and police continued the chase on foot, Kelley said. Officers tackled the man into a bush in the 900 block of West Ash Street, Kelley said.

Bank employees identified the man as the suspect and told police that they believe he was armed when he entered the bank, Kelley said. During questioning, the suspect made incriminating statements, the release said.

The FBI was also investigating the robbery.

Missourian reporters Andrew Del-Colle, Chad Day, Tram Whitehurst and Linda Waterborg contributed to this report.