BANGOR (AP) – United Kingfield Bank plans to step up security at its Corinth office following the second robbery there in two months.

Two suspects arrested in the second robbery, which netted more than $2,000, made their intial appearances Tuesday in U.S. District Court.

Corey Houle, 26, whose residence was not known, and Lovie Lee Riddle Jr., 58, of Stetson, were being held in the Penobscot Court Jail.

Houle allegedly entered the small bank Monday morning and showed the teller a note saying, “This is a robbery,” and he had a gun.

No weapon was displayed, and no one was injured during the incident.

Investigators said Riddle was driving the getaway vehicle, a purple pickup truck with red flames and pinstripes down the side that police stopped along the Maine Turnpike near New Gloucester after receiving reports that it was being driven erratically.

Riddle failed a field sobriety test and Houle was found to be carrying about $1,800 in cash, according to court documents.

The same branch of the bank was robbed March 10 by a man who presented a teller with a note demanding cash. The man indicated he was armed, although no weapon was seen. He left with an undisclosed amount of cash.

No one has been charged in that robbery, and police said they have no new leads.

“Obviously the bank appears to be becoming a target,” said Wesley Hussey of the Maine State Police, who suggested that the multiple routes that can be taken to leave the area may make it attractive to robbers.

A security officer will be present at the bank during business hours, Suzanne Brightbill, the bank’s public relations officer, said Tuesday.

“At any time we would want to protect our employees and our customers,” she said.

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Information from: Bangor Daily News, http://www.bangornews.com

AP-ES-05-18-05 1152EDT