posted on May 18, 2003 10:29:02 AM new
OKLAHOMA CITY, April 18 (Reuters) - An Oklahoma minister has been charged with bank robbery after he allegedly held up several banks near his parish and used the church van to escape, a federal agent said on Friday.
Warren Preston Brown, 41, a minister at the Bible Baptist Church in Norman, Oklahoma, was arrested on Thursday for allegedly robbing a local credit union, FBI Special Agent Gary Johnson said.
Brown was charged with bank robbery in federal court a few hours later, Johnson said. In an affidavit submitted to the court, the preacher admitted to robbing five other banks in the area, Johnson said.
While at the Oklahoma Educators Credit Union, Brown allegedly handed a teller a note that read: "All the money now. 60 secs. 100s, 50s, 20s. No talking," Johnson said.
The FBI followed Brown to the credit union after a witness from another bank robbery identified the minister on surveillance tapes, Johnson said.
FBI agents arrested Brown, who was wearing a hooded sweatshirt and sunglasses, as he left the credit union and tried to enter a church van, Johnson said.
Johnson would not comment on a motive for the robberies. If convicted, Brown could be sentenced to at least three years in prison.
Brown's attorney was not available for comment and his church did not return phone calls.
posted on May 18, 2003 02:44:34 PM new
I've got an idea on prison reform. Since most crimes are based on money, just have people go to prison until they've paid back what they've stolen. They can work making licence plates at $2.00 an hour and get out when they've paid up. Sex crimes and murder just get life sentances off the bat. There... all fixed.
