BENNINGTON, Vt.–A man who robbed Heritage Family Credit Union here dropped a significant amount of the cash while running down the street, leading to charges against people who grabbed the money, according to authorities.
According to Bennington police, Royal Palin, 35, has been charged with felony robbery and and is being held in custody. Police said that on Friday at 12:50 p.m. they received an alarm notice at the Heritage Family CU location on Pleasant St. Upon arrival, they learned that a male entered the credit union and gave the teller a note demanding money. He became threatening when a teller did not comply as quickly as he demanded, police said.
Palin allegedly stuffed an undisclosed sum of cash into the pockets of his shirt and ran from the credit union, escaping on a red bicycle as he headed east on Pleasant St., with the money flying from his pockets. At least $1,500 was left in the street, according to police.
"Residents of Pleasant Street ran out, picked up the money and concealed the money, never notified the police despite the fact there were multiple police cars going up and down Pleasant Street," according to Bennington Police.
That has led to new charges, including against Tracy Kramer, 33, of Pleasant Street, who is now facing a felony grand larceny charge and false information to police. Police said two others are also being sought for picking up the stolen money.
Using surveillance cameras at the credit union, photos helped to identify the robber, while other witnesses provided a location of the dumped bicycle. Police later arrested Palin, recovering clothing similar to what the robber was wearing, plus a large amount of cash that had been concealed.