The man who authorities say robbed the Shelby County State Bank late last Thursday morning did not display a weapon during the robbery. Shelby County Sheriff Mark Hervey told KJAN News 48-year old Larry Tiarks did however, produce a note during the incident, which occurred at around 11:45-a.m., Thursday. The note contained specific information as to what he wanted the teller to do. Hervey says Tiarks was wearing sunglasses and a ball cap.

Hervey said Tiarks was a regular customer at the bank.  Even so, the teller on duty did not recognize him. A deputy who was on-duty and in the City of Shelby at the time of the robbery, observed a vehicle leaving the city, that matched the description of the suspect’s vehicle. Sheriff Hervey said they had no idea at the time, that Tiarks was the suspect.  The deputy engaged in a pursuit of the vehicle, which traveled east of Shelby to the 200-block of Juniper Road. The chase ended after Tiarks left his vehicle and entered a rural residence. Sheriff Hervey says the deputies who went to the front door of the residence retreated once Tiarks appeared before them.

He says they thought they saw a weapon in his hand when Tiarks appeared at the patio doors, but that was never confirmed. Sheriff’s officials along with those from surrounding counties and the Iowa State Patrol established a perimeter around the residence. At around 4-p.m., the Iowa State Patrol Tactical Entry Team, using specialized equipment from the FBI, made entry into the home. When the entered the home, they found Tiarks inside, dead from a “Self-inflicted wound.” For the sake of the family, Hervey would not elaborate on how Tiarks died.

Hervey says its still not clear what motivated Tiarks to rob the bank. He says they’re looking at several different avenues of explanation, but right now, they are “At a loss.”