Blaine Man Sentenced for Robbing Coon Rapids Bank

Earlier today in federal court in Minneapolis, a 38-year-old Blaine man was sentenced for robbing the Northeast Bank in Coon Rapids on June 8, 2010. United States District Court Judge Ann D. Montgomery sentenced Theron Preston Washington to 46 months in prison on one count of bank robbery. He was indicted on June 14, 2010, and pleaded guilty on January 6, 2011.

In his plea agreement, Washington admitted stealing approximately $3,000 from the bank, which is located at

200 Coon Rapids Boulevard

in Coon Rapids. According to a law enforcement affidavit filed in the case, the robber, later identified as Washington, entered the bank, approached a teller, and produced a demand note that read, “Count out $3,000 and you won’t get hurt.” After receiving the cash, the robber left the premises in a waiting taxi.

The bank’s vice president, who was present during the robbery, recognized the robber because he had been in the bank two weeks earlier, inquiring about opening an account. The vice president also noted the taxi’s license plate number and provided it to police. Officers then tracked down the taxi and learned that the robber had been dropped off at the Northtown Shopping Center in Blaine. Upon searching the retail mall, police located and arrested the man. They also found 29 $100 bills in his possession. Another $100 bill was recovered from the taxi driver.

This case was the result of an investigation by the Coon Rapids Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Blaine Police Department and the Spring Lake Park Police Department.