Second of Two Men Pleads Guilty to Robbing Maplewood TCF Bank

The second of two Wisconsin men pleaded guilty earlier today in federal court in Minneapolis to robbing a TCF Bank in Maplewood, Minnesota, on April 2, 2010. Appearing before United States District Court Judge Joan N. Ericksen, Andrew James Larson, age 24, of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery. Larson’s co-defendant, Derek William Lombard, age 26, of Cumberland, Wisconsin, pleaded guilty yesterday to the same crime. Both men were indicted on April 13, 2010.

In their plea agreements, Larson and Lombard admitted stealing $13,709 from the bank, which is located at 2989 White Bear Avenue. According to a law enforcement affidavit filed in the case, the bank was robbed at 2:30 p.m. on April 2 by two men, later identified as Larson and Lombard. The men walked into the bank and ordered everyone to get down. At the time, one of the men held what was later determined to be a toy handgun. The affidavit states that the men jumped the bank counter, pulled open multiple teller drawers, and grabbed large amounts of cash before running from the bank and fleeing the vicinity in a stolen Dodge Charger. A short time later, the men turned into a parking lot, where they abandoned the Charger in favor of Larson’s Oldsmobile.

When officers from the Maplewood Police Department responded to the robbery, they spotted the Oldsmobile and what appeared to be the driver and a passenger changing clothes. The officers pulled alongside the vehicle, only to have it speed away. A chase ensued but ended when the Oldsmobile crashed on Interstate 694. Larson and Lombard then exited the car and fled on foot.

Lombard was apprehended but fought with officers, freed himself, and attempted to commandeer a van. After pulling the van’s driver to the ground but before stealing the van itself, he was once more chased by law enforcement and, ultimately, arrested.

Meanwhile, Larson hid in the outside sales area of a nearby Fleet Farm store. Law enforcement apprehended him with the assistance of a Minnesota State Patrol helicopter, which guided officers on the ground to his exact location.

For their crimes, Larson and Lombard face a potential maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Judge Ericksen will determine their sentences at a future hearing, yet to be scheduled.

This case is the result of an investigation by the Maplewood Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Minnesota State Patrol. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Dunne.