The Berrien County Bomb Squad was called out to a Niles bank after a suspicious package was left behind during a robbery on Friday. The robbery happened at the Chemical Bank on the 400 block of E. Main Street in Niles.
Niles Chief of Police Jim Millin says they believe the robber entered the bank shortly before 11:30am, gave a clerk a note indicating that there was a bomb in the building and demanding cash. The robber escaped with an undisclosed amount of money.
After police arrived, the bank was evacuated and the bomb squad was called in. The bomb squad sent in their disposal robot, which found the suspicious package did not contain any explosives. Police have not released what the contents of the package were at this time.
Authorities are still searching for a suspect at this time. The robber is described as between 5'5" and 5'8", 220lbs, and between 35 and 45 years of age. They were last seen wearing a blue hooded winter coat, black winter hat, black gloves, and sunglasses. It is unknown whether the suspect is male or female.
The Niles Police Department is asking that anyone with information about the incident or that can identify the suspect in the surveillance footage contact the Niles Police Department at 269-683-1313.
You can also send in a tip anonymously by texting 274637 starting your text message with the keyword: tipnilespd, or by going to the tipline website.
