A suspect in a Caseyville, Ill., bank robbery was apprehended Tuesday by Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) troopers south of Sallisaw after a short chase.

Harrold A. Smithee, 43, of Caseyville is being held in Sequoyah County Jail waiting extradition to Illinois, where he faces aggravated robbery charges for allegedly robbing the UMB Bank in Caseyville, Monday morning.

The Belleville News-Democrat reported the man showed the teller a hand-written note with the message: “This is a stick-up...give me large bills quick...I am heavily armed.”

The man did not show a weapon according to the Belleville News-Democrat and the teller recognized the man as Smithee. The teller reported Smithee had cashed a check with the bank on Feb. 9. The teller gave Smithee some cash, and pushed the silent alarm to alert police.

OHP troopers attempted to stop Smithee for speeding on Interstate 40 at about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, but Smithee led troopers on a pursuit.

OHP Troopers Cody Hyde and Clint Craft said the chase began at the 303 mile marker on Interstate 40 near Vian, and then went east toward the 308 mile marker at Sallisaw where Smithee exited and headed south on U.S. Highway 59 toward Wild Horse Mountain Road. Troopers reported speeds at times reached 115 miles per hour. Troopers boxed Smithee’s car in and Smithee pulled over.

During an interview shortly after the chase, Smithee said, “It was a small little bank nine miles from downtown Caseyville. I don’t know what I was thinking other then I already have charges on me that are going to incarcerate me for a long time. I thought if I’m going down for a bullet I’m going down for bank robbery too,” Smithee said. “That’s exactly what I’m going to do.”

Troopers recovered around $4,300 of the $6,000 allegedly taken from the bank.

“I spent around $1,000 of it. I bought some new tires this morning,” Smithee said.

Smithee allegedly said he is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm…three times. He said he wasn’t aware that having a bullet in his possession was considered the same offense as having an actual weapon.

Smithee allegedly picked up a hitchhiker and told OHP troopers he was not a partner in the crime. The hitchhiker was a little unsettled by the police chase but was unharmed in the incident.

“He (the hitchhiker) asked me to let him out of the vehicle, I said, (expletive) you dude,” Smithee said. “He was just wanting out of the vehicle.”

Smithee was booked in the Sequoyah County Jail. Roth said in St. Clair County, Ill., Smithee’s bond is set at $500,000. He said Smithee has a long criminal history and he believes Smithee had charges pending in the nearby town of O’Fallon for being a convicted felon in possession of ammunition.