Watch CBS News

70-Year-Old Accused Bank Robber Stays In Custody

LE CENTER, Minn. (AP) -- A 70-year-old woman accused of duping a man to be her getaway driver for a bank robbery has chosen to stay in jail.

Sandra Bathke is charged with first-degree aggravated robbery in the Elysian State Bank robbery Dec. 15.

The Free Press of Mankato reports she requested to stay in custody at a hearing Tuesday, rather than being released on her own recognizance because she had no place to live.

Sheriff Tom Doherty said Bathke told those who came forward, offering her a place to stay that she "won't ruin anyone else's Christmas."

She's accused of tricking the 26-year-old son of her landlord to take her to the bank because she was about to be evicted for failure to pay her rent. She allegedly made off with $3,700.

A judge last week told Bathke she shouldn't remain in the Janesville apartment, given the circumstances.

(© Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.