Police: Bank robber wanted $1 and a trip to prison
NORTHERN CAMBRIA, Pa. (AP) - A man tried to rob a Pennsylvania bank of $1 because he hoped to be sent to a federal prison nearby, police said.
Jeffrey McMullen, a 50-year-old regular customer of an AmeriServ bank in the western Pennsylvania town of Northern Cambria, handed notes to two tellers Friday demanding a dollar, according to a police complaint reported by The Tribune-Democrat of Johnstown.
The tellers thought it was a joke, police said. He then spoke with a new accounts employee and repeated he was robbing the bank for a buck.
Police say McMullen apparently wanted to be prosecuted federally so he could be taken to a prison in central Pennsylvania. Police could not immediately say why.
McMullen awaits a preliminary hearing, and court records didn't list an attorney. Under terms set by a Northern Cambria district judge, he must undergo a mental evaluation and post $50,000 bail in order to win release from jail.
One note given to tellers said, "FBI custody. Preferbly (sic) Loretto Pa. No press. Seal all files," according to the complaint. Police took that to be a request that McMullen hoped authorities would not publicize his case. The other said, "Federal bank robbery. Please hand over $1.00."
Jeffrey McMullen, a 50-year-old regular customer of an AmeriServ bank in the western Pennsylvania town of Northern Cambria, handed notes to two tellers Friday demanding a dollar, according to a police complaint reported by The Tribune-Democrat of Johnstown.
The tellers thought it was a joke, police said. He then spoke with a new accounts employee and repeated he was robbing the bank for a buck.
Police say McMullen apparently wanted to be prosecuted federally so he could be taken to a prison in central Pennsylvania. Police could not immediately say why.
McMullen awaits a preliminary hearing, and court records didn't list an attorney. Under terms set by a Northern Cambria district judge, he must undergo a mental evaluation and post $50,000 bail in order to win release from jail.
One note given to tellers said, "FBI custody. Preferbly (sic) Loretto Pa. No press. Seal all files," according to the complaint. Police took that to be a request that McMullen hoped authorities would not publicize his case. The other said, "Federal bank robbery. Please hand over $1.00."
Federal Prisons are a lot safer than USA's homeless shelters & the streets; the homeless shelters in the USA are some of the most HORRIFYING, DISRESPECTING, and DANGEROUS places in the country.
It was so he could work. Â
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http://www.unicor.gov/ Â Look it up, prison workers building computers, solar panels and more for private organizations.
WAAAAAAY back when..... We were required to read a book for school (7th or 8th grade) and I can't remember the name of it. But the story was about a family that was having such a bad time making ends meet that they all committed crimes (like stealing food to eat). They were all sent to prison and lived quite comfortably there after.
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Does anyone know this book's title?
 @WendyTeagarden Helter Skelter?
@str1ngb3nd3r I read that book in Detroit during a police strike. Boy, was I nervous.....
I was born and raised in Motown, left at 17, the summer I graduated from HS.
 @WendyTeagarden ...it was definitely a chilling read...
Even though cops get a bad rap, a lot of people don't realize the peace of mind they bring until they're placed in a situation such as yours.
The Shawshank Redemption?
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No, that's not it.
three hots and a cot, medical, dental. Why not, it would not be the first time.
".....so he could be taken to a prison in central Pennsylvania. Police could not immediately say why."
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He's no dummy. Â Winter is coming up.
You don't need to make a federal case out of it.
Well, it's getting cold at night now. Prisons are warm, you have a "clean" bed, food.....medical help if you need it....yup......
We will being seeing more of this kind of thing, just like the other man that robbed the bank and sat right there.
News flash dude - when you commit a crime you generally don't get to choose the place of incarceration.Â
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What does it say about crime and punishment in the US when someone believes prison is a reasonable alternative to any life of freedom? Sure, the guy probably has a couple of screws loose but life in prison is something that should be a universally awful consideration. Maybe he can't afford his cable bill at home?
 @IfishsumÂ
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Typically, you get sent to the closest prison when convicted. Thus why he committed his crime where he did.
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Not always. And if you ask real nice, sometimes they actually will locate you in a particular prison.
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But still wonder why prison was such a good choice.
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 @Repoman  @Ifishsum Maybe he wanted the tax payers to fund his 400,000 dollar sex change operation for him and a place to enjoy his new sexual status...
 @Ifishsum I look at that the entirely opposite way.  Why must his life be so hard that he would rather be in prison.  Either mental illness or another illness he can't get coverage for would be my bet.
 @darren vandervort  @IfishsumÂ
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Or a general health care issue...10 to one he doesn't have health insurance and can't afford it.
Maybe he still lives with his mom.
 @RatchetRanger Families SHOULD live together if they need help; otherwise people are forced to do things like this....which will cost TAXPAYERS $50,000 a year for the next 25 years....maybe more...older men have a lot of health issues.
"Police say McMullen apparently wanted to be prosecuted federally so he could be taken to a prison in central Pennsylvania. Police could not immediately say why."Â To quote Barney Fife:Â "He's a nut!"
OK, guess 'ol Jeffery can cross bank robbery of his bucket list......