Arrest made in two local bank robberies
November 17, 2010
O’Fallon, MO
In a press conference this afternoon, it was revealed that a suspect in two recent bank robberies has been identified and arrested. The suspect has been identified as David E. Blackledge, a 29-year-old St. Charles County resident. The St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued two separate Robbery charges on Blackledge with a combined bond of $150,000.
The joint press conference was held by the O’Fallon, Missouri Police Department in conjunction with the City of Cottleville Police Department and the St. Charles County Sheriff’s Office.
Blackledge was arrested at a motel in O’Fallon, Illinois without incident at approximately 9 p.m. on November 16, 2010. He is currently being held in O’Fallon, Illinois awaiting extradition.
The suspect allegedly robbed the UMB Bank at 6059 Mid Rivers Mall Drive on November 10 as well as the Commerce Bank at 2913 Highway K on November 15.
Blackledge allegedly entered the UMB Bank with a note which he passed to the teller demanding currency. He implied he had a firearm. The teller gave him the currency. The note was left at the scene and the suspect left on foot.
Similarly, Blackledge allegedly entered the Commerce Bank and passed a note to the teller demanding U.S. currency. He implied he had a firearm and the teller gave the suspect the currency. He exited the bank with the currency, the demand note and fled on foot.
O’Fallon Chief of Police Roy Joachimstaler stated, “Members of each of the Departments, Cottleville and O’Fallon, along with St. Charles County Sheriff’s Office worked together to bring this case to a successful conclusion with the arrest of the suspect last night.” He continued, “The FBI also was part of this team, and without the work of all of the members of this investigative team, the arrest would not have occurred.”
A combination of latent print evidence in Cottleville and eyewitness identification in a photo lineup was used to identify the suspect. A lead guided the detective team to an address in Illinois.
Joachimstaler stated Blackledge is a convicted felon who has spent time in jail. Authorities believe he was not being harbored by anyone as he was alone when arrested; but there may be more people involved.
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