Bank robbery suspect captured in River Falls

Published 1:17 am Wednesday, October 19, 2016

River Falls Police Chief Greg Jackson and Dave Onofry of the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force look through evidence.

River Falls Police Chief Greg Jackson and Dave Onofry of the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force look through evidence.

A man wanted for a summer bank robbery in Missouri, who was considered armed and dangerous, was arrested in River Falls Tuesday.

1019-cooper-mugRiver Falls Police Chief Greg Jackson said that Ala-bama Law Enforcement Agency’s Lt. Chris Inabinett received information that a wanted bank robber was in Covington County, possibly in the River Falls area.

Jackson said officials from RFPD, Red Level Police Department, the 22nd Judicial Drug Task Force, U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force, Covington County Sheriff’s Office and Andalusia Police Department executed a search warrant at a home on Glisson Road.

There they learned that the suspect was staying at a Plywood Mill Road residence.

“Officers made contact with the suspect on the side of the home as he hid under the carport,” Jackson said. “I ordered him to the ground. He refused for a moment, but finally got on the ground.”

Jackson said Russell Eugene Cooper, 52, was found to be in possession of a .9 mm pistol.

“We have since found that Cooper was an absconded sex offender from Missouri, as well,” Jackson said.

According to Jackson, Cooper served a 20-year sentence for raping an elderly woman.

River Falls Police Department is charging him with fugitive from justice on the bank robbery.

The alleged crime occurred at approximately 1:36 p.m., on July 18, at the Eldon, Mo., Citizen’s Bank South.

Cooper is wanted for second-degree robbery in Missouri, with a $75,000 bond.

Jackson said when law enforcement officials ran Cooper’s name, they found he was considered armed and dangerous.

Jackson said Cooper also has two other felony warrant for methamphetamine.

River Falls PD is also charging Cooper with felon in possession of firearms, which Jackson said was a federal offense.

He is being held in the Covington County Jail without bond.