Channeling Flip Wilson

Minn. bank robber blames the devil

Excerpt:

A 58-year-old man is blaming 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 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.

Comment: Likable comedian Flip Wilson was famous for his savings: "The devil made me do it" and "What You See Is What You Get" (origin of WYSIWYG)