On Thursday, March 9th, 2023 at 3:47 p.m., Hasting police officers responded to First National Bank of Hastings at 1400 North Frontage Road regarding a bank robbery. An unknown female handed the teller a note demanding money.  The female suspect left westbound on Highway 55 in a silver Dodge Journey, which was being driven by a male.  An Inver Grove Heights (IGH) officer was traveling toward Hastings while transporting a prisoner in the squad and observed the suspect vehicle traveling in the opposite direction.  The IGH Officer was able to read portions of the license plate and notified assisting agencies. A Dakota County Sheriff’s Deputy located the suspect vehicle in the jurisdiction of Rosemount.  Officers coordinated a felony stop on the vehicle and both occupants were detained. 

The female passenger was arrested at 4:59 p.m. for the robbery, and she was identified as: Nikki Cornelious, 29, of Eagan MN. The male driver was determined to not be involved in the crime and was released after being interviewed.

Cornelious was booked in Dakota County Jail at 7:02 p.m. that evening for Felony Simple Robbery. Felony Simple Robbery in Minnesota is defined as: Whoever, having knowledge of not being entitled thereto, takes personal property from the person or in the presence of another and uses or threatens the imminent use of force against any person to overcome the person's resistance or powers of resistance to, or to compel acquiescence in, the taking or carrying away of the property is guilty of robbery and may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than ten years or to payment of a fine of not more than $20,000, or both.

The booking was a probable cause booking, so no charges were officially filed as of Monday, March 13.

Hastings PD would like to thank Inver Grove Heights PD, Dakota County Sheriff’s Office and Rosemount PD for their assistance with this apprehension.Arrest m