BENTON – Bond was set Friday in Franklin County Court at $250,000 for a 60-year-old Salem man accused of robbing the Southern Illinois Bank in Zeigler at gunpoint Tuesday.
Earl Michael Morlan was formally charged in court Friday with Class X felony armed robbery and Class 1 felony armed robbery indicating a firearm.
According to police, they received a report around 10:30 Tuesday morning of the bank being robbed. They believe the suspect fled on foot and had a getaway car waiting a few blocks away.
Surveillance photos showing the alleged robber were then released and law enforcement officials in Marion County, Illinois reportedly recognized Morlan as the person in those photos.
Then on Wednesday, Morlan made a 9-1-1 call in Du Quoin and was transported to an area hospital where Zeigler officials picked him up and took him to the Franklin County Jail.
Morlan was arraigned Friday on the charges stemming from Tuesday’s alleged events. He was advised of the charges against him and the possible penalties.
Bond was set in the case at $250,000 and a preliminary hearing was scheduled for February 15, along with a first appearance with a court-appointed attorney.