Law enforcement officials in Saline County were searching the southwest part of the county Tuesday morning, April 8, following a robbery at the First Community Bank of Sweet Springs.

Sweet Springs Police Chief Richard Downing said an undetermined amount of money was taken.

Sheriff Wally George said the call came in to his office at 10:28 a.m. that a white male, about 5-foot, 8-inches tall and about 220 pounds, approached a teller and passed a note demanding money "or he would shoot."

No weapon was displayed, however, and George said no one was injured in the incident.

Downing said no customers were in the bank at the time of the incident.

The suspect was last seen wearing a blue T-shirt and reportedly has a lightning bolt tattoo on the right side of his neck, George said.

Downing added that the suspect was balding on the top of his head and had a receding hairline, according to witnesses.

Sheriff's deputies, Sweet Springs police officers and Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers set up a perimeter around Sweet Springs quickly, George said, and were searching for what witnesses described as a burnt-orange colored Ford Taurus or Mercury Sable-type vehicle.

The car was last seen heading north on Highway 127 from Marshall Street in Sweet Springs, Downing said.

Downing said the FBI had been notified of the case, too.

As of 11:45 a.m. Tuesday officer had not located the suspect. George encouraged anyone with information about the case to contact local law enforcement officials. The Saline County Sheriff's Department number is 660-886-5511 and the Sweet Springs Police Department can be reached at 660-335-6823.

Contact Eric Crump at marshalleditor@socket.net