Man arrested after robbery at Effingham hotel

EFFINGHAM, Ill. (WAND) — An Effingham man was arrested Tuesday night after police said he robbed a Days Inn.

The Effingham Police Department responded to reports of a robbery at the Days Inn at 1602 Damron Court just after 10:30 p.m.

Police said the initial report was that 20-year-old Nicholas A. Courtright threatened a hotel employee with a knife and demanded the hotel's cash drawer. After taking the drawer, Courtright left before officers could be called.

Nobody was hurt during the robbery, according to police.

When officers arrived, they reviewed the hotel's video camera footage to determine where Courtright went after the robbery.

The police department said they used a K9 to recover the cash drawer and clothes they believed to be dropped by Courtright.

Officers then used a drone to find and arrest Courtright in a makeshift encampment in the woods behind Boos Outlet Showroom at 1703 Avenue of Mid America.

Courtright was charged with armed robbery and criminal trespass. An initial court appearance is set for Thursday, April 2.

The Effingham Police Department is still investigating the incident.