5/11/2011: Update 2:30 p.m.: Robber strikes Merchants Bank in Hampton

Merchants Bank of Hampton was robbed at gunpoint early this morning when a suspect entered the bank displaying a handgun and demanded money from an employee.

The robbery of the former Hampton State Bank occurred at approximately 9:45 a.m., according to Mark Metzler, the media and communications officer for Merchants Bank.

"We are thankful that our staff on duty at the time were uninjured. We are cooperating fully with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Dakota County law enforcement officials in their investigation and ask that any other questions be referred to them," he said in an email at 12:30 p.m.

The suspect - who was described as a white male wearing a ski mask, blue jeans and a blue windbreaker - first fled the bank on foot, and is believed to have then left the area in a white mid-size Chrysler car, according to the sheriff's department.

Dakota County deputies are looking for the suspect.

"The Hampton location will remain closed the remainder of today," Metzler said.

Merchants Bank, based out of Winona, Minn., has banks in 14 communities, including Red Wing and Cannon Falls.

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