Newton bank robbery suspect arrested in Oklahoma

Oklahoma authorities arrest a Newton bank robbery suspect Thursday night.

The City of Newton says Martin L. Paris, 50, was in Seiling, Oklahoma, in the northwest part of the state.

He was wanted in connection with a robbery at Newton’s First Bank south branch on Monday. Police say he entered the bank, passed a note to the staff and left with an undisclosed amount of cash. No weapon was displayed.

A tip from someone who recognized Paris from media coverage led police to the motel where he was staying. He was taken into custody without incident.

Paris is now being held at the Dewey County Jail. He had been on federal probation in Oklahoma for previous bank robberies.

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Newton police have identified 50-year-old Martin Paris as the man suspected of robbing the First Bank of Newton on Monday.

Police say someone recognized a surveillance image of Paris on the news and alerted authorities.

The 50-year-old was believed to be in the Oklahoma City area as of Tuesday night.

Paris is about 5 feet 5 inches tall, approximately 170 pounds, and is believed to be driving a silver 2015 Kia Optima. He is currently on federal probation in Oklahoma for previous bank robberies.

Law enforcement agencies across multiple states are looking for him.

Anyone who knows of his whereabouts is asked to call 911 or use the Newton Police Department's Tip411 app.

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The lockdown to local businesses is lifted, but the search for a Newton bank-robbery suspect continues.

The robbery was reported about 5:45 p.m. at the First Bank of Newton in the 1400 block of South Kansas Avenue.

Newton Police say a man entered the bank and told a clerk he intended to commit a robbery. The man, seen in surveillance photos left with an undisclosed amount of cash in a silver passenger car, possible a Kia Optima or a Honda Accord.

Police say that man is believed to still be in the area. He's described as standing about 5'8 and weighing between 175 and 200 pounds. The man has brown hair.

Police say he didn't display a weapon during the robbery.

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Area businesses, including Newton Medical Center are on lockdown as police search for a bank-robbery suspect they say fled on foot from the First Bank of Newton in the 1400 block of South Kansas.

The call to report the robbery was made at about 5:45 p.m.