The Berrien County Bomb Squad’s “bomb robot” was used to investigate a bag left behind by the suspect in Friday’s bank robbery of Niles Chemical Bank. Leader photo/CRAIG HAUPERT

Police are still searching for the suspect who robbed and threatened to blow up a Niles bank late Friday morning.

Niles Police Chief Jim Millin said Monday his office is investigating a couple leads after receiving a few tips over the weekend. There is no person of interest or known suspect as of Monday afternoon.

According police, an unknown white person entered the Niles Chemical Bank on Main Street at around 11:28 a.m. and presented the teller a note demanding money and threatening to blow up the bank if police were called.

The suspect, who was wearing a blue hooded winter coat, black winter hat, black gloves and sunglasses, was last seen walking north on Fifth Street from the bank toward Sycamore Street. The suspect left with the note, Millin said, so exactly what was written on the note is unknown.

The suspect is believed to be 35 to 45 years old, between 5-foot-5 and 5-foot-8 in height and around 220 pounds. It is unknown whether or not the suspect is male or female.

No one was injured, and bank employees were evacuated as police secured the immediate area a few minutes after the robbery.

The suspect left a bag in the bank and near the Main Street entrance. The Berrien County Bomb squad was called to assist and identify the package. The bomb squad’s investigation, which included using a “bomb robot,” revealed the package was not a threat. It was removed from the scene.

Millin said his office isn’t ready to say what was in the bag.

It is still unknown how much money was stolen. Millin said the bank would do an audit to determine the exact amount.

Millin said it is the first bank robbery in Niles since the Fifth Third Bank on Broadway was robbed around six years ago. He said the Chemical Bank on Main Street has never been robbed.

The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department and officers from the Michigan State Police and FBI assisted.

Niles police are asking anyone with information about the incident or can identify the suspect in the surveillance footage to call (269) 683-1313.

Information can also be anonymously sent to Niles police by texting 274637 starting your text message with the keyword: tipnilespd. People can also submit a tip online to Niles police by visiting www.tipsoft.com

Cash rewards are available for information leading to the arrest of the subject responsible for this bank robbery.