Townsend in town: Saline County man charged with armed robbery arrives in Harrisburg

Jeffrey Townsend, 43, charged with robbing Carrier Mills First Southern Bank, arrived at the Saline County Detention Center Wednesday night at 5:12 p.m., where he remains held on $25,000 bond.

Townsend's will make an initial appearance in court as soon as Friday, said Saline County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Ken Clore, though an exact time and date had not been set at deadline.

In his initial appearance in court, Townsend will have his charges read to him and he will either appoint legal counsel or request counsel, if he cannot afford a lawyer. A preliminary hearing will occur after the initial court appearance unless Townsend waives it.

After the preliminary hearing, a pre-trial will begin. In the pretrial, the prosecution establishes that they have enough evidence to hold a trial.

At the time of the robbery, which occurred on December 10, 2014 Townsend was staying in the Marion-Stonefort area. A warrant was issued on Friday, May 22 for Townsend, formerly of Winchester, Kentucky and Butte, Montana. A male juvenile from rural Stonefort was also taken into custody in connection with the bank robbery on Friday, May 22.

FBI agents apprehended Townsend in Midland, Virginia, about 50 miles south of Washington D.C., on Friday, May 22. He is awaiting extradition to Illinois.

According to a press release from the Saline County Sherriff's Office, shortly before noon on December 10, 2014, a male entered the Carrier Mills bank. He displayed a weapon and demanded cash. The suspect left the bank on foot and entered a waiting car nearby.