'The devil made me do it,' robbery suspect allegedly says

Star Tribune

Last update: October 8, 2009 - 11:43 PM

A 58-year-old man blamed the devil for making him hold up a bank in North Branch, Minn., federal authorities say.

Richard S. Wallat of Cambridge, Minn., was arrested Monday, soon after robbing the People's National Bank at 5481 St. Croix Trail, and was charged Wednesday, according to the FBI.

Upon his arrest not far from the bank, the charges contend, Wallat said to no one in particular: "The devil made me do it, and you caught the bad guy."

According to court records:

Wallat entered the bank about 11:30 a.m. and gave a teller a note that read, "Don't do anything stupid. Robbery Gun."

He then said to the teller, "Give me no bait money, just large bills." The teller gave Wallat $8,850.50, which he put in a black tote bag. He fled in a sedan.

Police located and stopped the vehicle on Tanger Drive near Interstate 35. A search of the sedan turned up the tote bag, the note demanding money and the cash.

PAUL WALSH

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