A Georgetown, Indiana, man was sentenced to three years and 10 months in federal prison Tuesday for bank robbery.
Patrick Leo Sandmann, 26, pleaded guilty to bank robbery and entering a bank with intent to commit bank robbery in December 2016.
“Maintaining the safety of our Southern Indiana communities remains a top priority of this office,” U.S. attorney Josh Minkler said in a press release. “If you rob a bank in this district, you can be certain, we will arrest you, convict you and send you to federal prison for a very long time.”
Sandmann walked into Community State Bank on Evansville Street in Cynthiana, Indiana, on Sept. 24, 2015. Wearing a hat and glasses, Sandmann approached the bank teller’s desk and handed her a note, according to court documents.
“Give me all the money in your drawer,” the note read. ”If you call the cops I will take you hostage. Don’t call the police or I will shoot.”
The teller complied. She took all the cash and put it in a bag, which she handed to Sandmann. She reported the robbery to police after he fled the bank. In total, Sandmann stole $7,243.
On June 8, 2016, the same teller was working at a different branch of the bank, on St. Wendel Cynthiana Road in Saint Wendel, Indiana, according to court documents.
The teller recognized Sandmann when he walked in and asked to use the bathroom. Surveillance footage showed that Sandmann sat outside the bank in a black Ford Fusion for 45 minutes before entering. The teller informed her manager, who told Sandmann there was no public bathroom and he needed to get off the premises.
The manager called 911, and Sandmann fled the scene in his car, according to court documents. The bank manager chased Sandmann in his own car, reporting his location to police. During the chase, Sandman wrecked his car, got out and fled on foot.
Sandmann ran into the woods and was apprehended by a canine police unit. When they arrested him, they found a note on the ground nearby.
“This is a robbery. Please remain calm,” the note read. “I need the money in the register. I don’t want to shoot anyone or take any hostages.”
When police searched Sandmann’s car, they found a six-inch knife and numerous personal documents. Sandmann confessed to his robberies on the spot during the arrest.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Indiana State Police and the Posey County Sheriff’s Department investigated this case.
Sandmann must also serve three years of supervised release following his prison term, according to assistant U.S. attorney Pamela S. Domash, who prosecuted the case for the government. He will also have to pay full restitution of the $7,243 he stole.
