Bernie man charged in attempted bank robbery

According to a Malden Police Department report, on Tuesday, Aug. 11, the First State Community Bank, 1214 N. Douglas in Malden, reported that the ATM located at the bank suffered extensive damage, along with the courier drop-off box that is attached to the bank. It appeared that the responsible parties caused the damage to the ATM in an attempt to retrieve the money that the ATM keeps for transactions, and it also appeared the suspects made efforts to gain entry into the bank by means of the courier drop box.

As officers searched the area near the bank, they found that a storage unit behind 1210 N. Douglas had also been broken into.

As the Malden Police Department continued the investigation, officers received information from the Sikeston Department of Public Safety that a similar incident occurred within their city limits. Officers from both agencies were able to identify two suspects in the incident in Malden, as well as an additional suspect in the Sikeston incidents.

On Friday, Aug. 14, the report continues, the Dunklin County Prosecuting Attorney's Office filed formal charges on Robert G. Smith of Lilbourn, along with Johnny Smith and both face identical charges. Estimated damages to the ATM and the First State Community Bank are approximately $40,000.

Both men currently are being held in the Scott County Jail pending extradition back to Dunklin County. Bond has been set at $100,000 cash only for each.

"I would personally like to thank the members of the Detective Bureau with the Sikeston Department of Public Safety for their cooperation in this case and would like to apologize to anyone who has been inconvenienced by this incident," said Malden Chief of Police Jarrett Bullock.