QUINCY, IL -- One of the challenges investigators face in this case is that some of the eyewitnesses saw things very differently.

No one plans to be an eyewitness to a crime or accident. But you can know exactly what to look for when you see something suspicious.

Adams County Sheriff Brent Fischer said eyewitnesses in a case like the Payson robber are "crucial, in my opinion, because they give you timelines. It puts people in the area, and if you have more than one eyewitness, you have a couple of different things instead of just one description."

Sheriff Fischer says the robber responsible forthe hold-up at the State Street bank in Payson was only inside the bank for about a minute before he made his getaway on the gravel roads north of Payson.

That's not very long. And many times eyewitness accounts are all police have to investigate the case.

As a possible eyewitness, what should you be looking for?

Sheriff Fischer said, "Well, obviously in a town like Payson, they're familiar with their surroundings. So anything suspicious."

Most of the time crimes happen this fast, so you won't have much time to gather information.  Sheriff Fischer says in that instant look for three important things: the color of the vehicle, the make and which direction it was heading.  That will give authorities enough information to begin looking for the suspects.

After you see those things, focus on the license plate number and the state it is from.

Finally concentrate on everything else. See if you can identify any special characteristics about the vehicle or suspect. Identify how many people are in the car and the descriptions of the suspects.

If you are in the place where the crime is occuring, such as inside a bank as it is being robbed, put your safety first and gather what information you can. But never compromise your own or another's safety.

Sheriff Fischer says the most important things to pay attention to when you are scoping out a suspect are hair and eye color, and any distinguishing details about the suspect such as facial hair, scars, or tattoos.