On January 17, 2017 at approximately 2:18 PM, Champaign Police Officers responded to Regions Bank, located at 111 S. State Street for a reported bank robbery. During the robbery, the suspect entered the bank and demanded money. A weapon was implied but not displayed during the robbery.
Champaign Police Detectives have interviewed witnesses and continued the investigation into this incident. As a result, 41-year-old Meco K. Russell of Champaign has been identified. Earlier today an arrest warrant was issued for Russell, for the offense of Aggravated Robbery. Bond on the warrant was set in the amount of $150,000.
Anyone with information regarding this incident or the whereabouts of Russell is encouraged to call the Champaign Police Department Investigations Division at (217) 351-4545.
Anonymous tips may also be submitted to Crime Stoppers by phone at (217) 373-8477 or online at www.373tips.com. Crime Stoppers will pay a reward up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of the person(s) responsible for this crime.
Champaign Police reminds citizens that information submitted to Crime Stoppers is completely anonymous. Calls are routed to a third-party national call center that receives your information, completes a tips information form, and then passes the information to the appropriate law enforcement agency. Caller ID tracking is not utilized by Crime Stoppers and conversations are not recorded.
[Left Photo: October 2016 Booking Photo of Russell]