Illinois Bank Robbery Suspect Captured Near Sallisaw

NewsOn6.com

SALLISAW, OK -- A 43-year-old man identified in a police photo lineup as the man who robbed an Illinois bank on Monday was arrested in Oklahoma Tuesday afternoon.  But not before leading Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers on a high-speed chase while sipping alcohol.

Harrold Smithee is in the Sequoyah County jail awaiting extradition back to Illinois.

Smithee was wanted for the robbery of a bank in Caseyville, Illinois.

OHP troopers attempted to stop Smithee's vehicle Tuesday near Sallisaw for speeding, but he took off with troopers in pursuit.

They eventually stopped his vehicle and arrested Smithee, who was booked into the Sequoyah County jail late Tuesday afternoon.

Troopers say they found several thousand dollars believed to be from the bank robbery in the vehicle.

Authorities report Smithee was drinking a bottle of tequila during the pursuit.