Robbery suspect dead after standoff

PRESCOTT — A Nebraska man is dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound during a stand off with law enforcement Monday afternoon west of Prescott.

At approximately 1:36 p.m., Iowa State Savings Bank in Lenox reported a robbery with no injuries to customers or employees. The suspect was described as wearing a black mask and black clothing, driving a black motorcycle last seen north on Sycamore Avenue leaving Lenox, but it was unknown which direction the motorcycle went after reaching Highway 34.

At approximately 1:50 p.m., Adams County dispatch notified Taylor County their deputies had chased a subject on a motorcycle to a field west of Prescott on 195th Street.

The driver, later identified as Steven T. Sapp, 45, of Hooper, Nebraska, was not followed into the field after he had been seen with a handgun pointed at his head.

A perimeter was set up when aerial law enforcement and other responding agencies arrived.

Iowa State Patrol air enforcement worked to maintain visuals on Sapp in the field. ISP confirmed he still had the handgun and a knife.

Just after 2 p.m., Union County Sheriff Mark Shepherd radioed to dispatch he had located a motorcycle with a large sum of cash at the gravel intersection of Poplar and 6th avenues.

After more than an hour, communication was made with Sapp via a speaker in the drone. He was ordered to drop his weapons and surrender, at which time Sapp yelled that he would take his own life.

At 3:02 p.m., radio traffic announced shots had been fired, and Sapp had fallen to the ground from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Emergency responders on standby attempted life-saving care, but the medical examiner pronounced him deceased on scene.

Sapp has previous convictions in multiple states including stabbing 40-year-old Steven Leach to death in Pickering, Missouri, in 2008.

In another conviction, Sapp played a role in the robbery of a Nebraska Pizza Hut, assaulting two of three female employees.

Responding agencies Monday included the Iowa State Patrol Adams, Taylor, Union, Montgomery, Adair and Cass counties as well as Creston, Clarinda and Afton police departments. Multiple K-9s were available, but unable to be deployed due to Sapp being armed. The investigation is ongoing with assistance being provided by Iowa DCI and the FBI.

The Lenox branch will remain closed until further notice. “Our primary concern is always the safety and well-being of our staff and customers,” ISSB said in a press release. “We are working closely with local law enforcement to investigate the situation.”