Fridley man indicted for bank robbery

By TIM HARLOW, Star Tribune

Last update: May 13, 2008 - 11:52 PM

A federal grand jury has indicted a Fridley man on one count of bank robbery in connection with a holdup at a TCF Bank last month.

The indictment filed Monday in United States District Court alleges that Steven Walter Smialek, 40, used force, violence and intimidation on April 25 to take approximately $1,540 from a teller at the TCF Bank at 5205 Central Av. NE., Fridley.

According to a Minneapolis FBI affidavit, Smialek entered the bank at 6:55 p.m. and waited for an available teller. When a window opened, he approached the teller, placed a note on the counter and said "I'm armed and hand over the money."

Smialek was arrested a few days later outside of his place of employment. Authorities executed a search warrant of his home and found clothing worn by and items used by the bank robber.

If convicted, Smialek faces up to 20 years in prison.

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