CLAYTON, Mo. – Two men are in custody and one of them is facing charges after a bank robbery and high speed chase that spanned multiple cities and interstates on Thursday afternoon.
Clayton Police said it all started with a hold up at Simmons Bank on Clayton Road by the Galleria around 1:15 p.m.
Monte Lynch, 45, walked in with a note, demanding money.
"The teller complied and he said "All of it" as she was getting all the money out,” said Captain Stewart Glenn.
The teller tripped the alarm, police said, as Lynch ran out of the building. He never displayed a firearm, police said.
Elizabeth Swyers works at a hair salon next to the bank. She said she saw the suspect before and after the hold up looking suspicious.
“It was a little unusual because most people in here are attorneys dressed head to toe in their suits. And he came in with sweatpants wearing baggy clothes," she said.
Lynch then led several police officers from multiple agencies on a lengthy chase that began in the area of Brentwood Boulevard and Forest Park Parkway.
Cpt. Glenn said the suspect traveled over Interstates 170, 64, 55 and 270 and other major roads between St. Louis city and county over the course of 30 minutes.
At one point, he led police down the wrong way on 270 near Tesson Ferry, prompting other drivers to hurry up and get out of the way.
"Thankfully there was already a blockade of vehicles there and he saw he couldn't go any further,” he said.
Cpt. Glenn said the pursuit remained at a relatively low speed and included spike strips that were unsuccessful in stopping the getaway van.
Officers took Lynch into custody. There was also one other man in the van, who officers said was dumped onto the interstate about 100 yards away from where Lynch was apprehended.
Lynch is facing two counts of second-degree robbery and one count of resisting arrest. He is being held on a $100,000, cash-only bond.
Charges are pending against the other man. Capt. Glenn said the suspected robber could be linked to similar crimes in the area.
"We believe he is possibly the same one that robbed the Commerce Bank two days ago in 6300 block of Clayton Road, across from St. Mary's Hospital," he said.
