Arrest made in Nov. 5 armed robbery at Commerce Bank, 3709 Sandman Lane

(COLUMBIA, MO) -

Columbia Police responded to a report of a bank robbery around 12:50 p.m. on Nov. 5 at Commerce Bank, 3709 Sandman Lane. 

Investigation revealed that a suspect entered the bank, displayed a firearm and demanded money. The suspect left with an undisclosed amount of cash. Observant members of the community witnessed the suspect enter the bank with clothing which was concealing their face and contacted 911.

The suspect, identified during the investigation as Roger Lee Ballinger, 34, of Springfield, Missouri, was located on foot in the area of Buttonwood Drive. Ballinger was taken into custody without incident and arrested on charges of 1st Degree Robbery and Armed Criminal Action in relation this incident.

When being interviewed by detectives, Ballinger made statements implicating himself in several other armed robberies:

10/21/2017 O'Reilly Auto Parts on Cooper Drive, case number 2017-11472.

(Original press release https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/view.php?id=5249)

06/08/2018 Merchants and Farmers Bank on Range Line Street, case number 2018-6238.

(Original press release https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/view.php?id=5645)

09/07/2018 Great Southern Bank on South Providence, case number 2018-10004.

(Original press release https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/view.php?id=5807)

This arrest would not have been possible without vigilance from members of the public.

CPD Case Number 2018-12479