Area bank robbery, chase ends in Kentucky

A bank robbery that spanned three counties and two states ended Hollywood style with the suspect crashing his car into a gas tanker before being arrested.

It started about 10:45 a.m. Tuesday with a robbery of the Grand Rivers Community Bank in Shawneetown. The suspect, later identified as Marcus Householder, 32, of Reed Ky., sped away in what was described as a gold or silver Ford Fusion heading for the Kentucky state line.

Householder allegedly led police on a chase through Union County, Ky., and into Webster County, Ky., according Union County sheriff's Deputy Jason O. Thomas.

Thomas said that he observed the Fusion heading eastbound on a Kentucky state highway and tried to stop the car just outside Morganfield, Ky. The deputy was responding to an ATL, attempt to locate, call that southern Illinois law enforcement put out on the Fusion, reporting that the suspect was heading toward Union County.

The suspect ignored Thomas' command to stop, the deputy said, and sped through Morganfield at speeds in excess of 70 mph.

The pursuit was on. "Several lives were placed in danger when the suspect flew through the intersection of (Ky 56 West) and (US 60 West) then again at (Ky 56 East) and the bypass, ignoring the red light at both, nearly striking several vehicles," the deputy said.

At that point, Thomas was joined in the chase by two Morganfield police officers, one being the police chief. The suspect traveled down Ky 56 East and turned left, north, onto Alternate 41 and headed for the town of Poole, Ky., reaching speeds in excess of 120 mph, the deputy said.

Just as the chase entered Poole, the suspect lost control of the Fusion, leaving the roadway and striking a ditch. The car then went airborne slamming against the side of a gasoline tanker in a parking lot on Alternate 41.

No incident occurred other than Householder crashing into the tanker. Thomas said the suspect was arrested and flown by helicopter to an undisclosed hospital for treatment of his injuries.

Householder will face bank robbery charges in southern Illinois. The Union County Sheriff Office will be investigating and charging Householder with fleeing/evading, first degree; and wanton endangerment in the first degree, Thomas said. The deputy added that If anyone feels they were directly endangered by the actions of this suspect during this pursuit that they are encouraged to contact the Union County Sheriff's Office or the Dispatch Center.

Back in Shawneetown at Grand Rivers Community Bank, the Illinois State Police picked up the investigation along with Shawneetown police. A bank employee said that no one was hurt during the robbery. The amount of money that the suspect is believed to have absconded with was not released on Tuesday.