HANNIBAL, Mo. -- A Hannibal man was sentenced Monday to 15 years in prison for his role in an October 2008 bank robbery.

Omar Simpson, 31, pleaded guilty to robbing the United Community Credit Union at 109 Lindsey Road. He was caught about an hour after the robbery following a short car and foot chase.

Simpson must serve at least 85 percent of his sentence. Marion County Prosecutor Tom Redington said a pellet gun and cash from the bank were found in Simpson's residence shortly after the robbery.

Two bank tellers and the bank manager testified during Simpson's trial about the trauma of seeing a gun pointed at them.

Simpson on Monday apologized for the robbery and said he took the money from the bank because he had recently lost his job and was having financial problems.

Authorities say Simpson stole a car from an 81-year-old Meals on Wheels volunteer to drive to the bank.