Brooklyn Park Man Indicted for Robbing Inver Grove Heights Credit Union

February 18, 2010 - A federal grand jury has returned an indictment against a 44-year-old Brooklyn Park man for allegedly robbing the Minnesota Building Trades Federal Credit Union in Inver Grove Heights on October 8, 2009. In the indictment, which was filed with the U.S. District Court earlier today, Herman Wilson was charged with one count of bank robbery. The indictment alleges Wilson took $21,459 from the credit union.

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation affidavit filed in the case, the credit union was robbed at 9:30 a.m. on October 8 by a lone man, later identified as Wilson. The man wore a surgical mask, goggles, and a neon construction vest. He carried a kitty-litter bucket that held a black bag and a semi-automatic handgun.

After entering the credit union, the man allegedly brandished the gun and demanded money from the tellers. They complied, and upon obtaining the cash, the man reportedly fled on foot.

Following the robbery, employees of the credit union told police they believed the robber had cased the building three days earlier. They then supplied the police with a description of the man and his car.

Law enforcement subsequently conducted a search and identified Wilson as a potential suspect. After further investigation, a search warrant was executed at Wilson’s home on December 2, 2009. Wilson was arrested as he allegedly attempted to flee the premises.

During the search of Wilson’s residence, authorities reportedly recovered goggles similar to those worn by the robber. Outside they allegedly located a car matching the description of the vehicle credit union employees had spotted during the supposed casing of the building.

If convicted, Wilson faces a potential maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. All sentences are determined by a federal district court judge.

This case is the result of an investigation by the FBI and the Inver Grove Heights Police Department, with assistance from the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and the Brooklyn Park Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey S. Paulsen.