Minneapolis man charged in SW Minn. bank robbery

Published 5:35 pm Thursday, January 5, 2012

WORTHINGTON, Minn. — A Minneapolis man is charged in a bank robbery in southwestern Minnesota as authorities investigate whether he is responsible for dozens of other bank robberies in the state.

Forty-nine-year-old Mark Wetsch was charged Thursday in Nobles County with aggravated robbery, terroristic threats and theft, all felonies.

Wetsch is charged in Tuesday’s robbery of the Rolling Hills Bank in Brewster.

Prosecutor Gordon Moore says the robber used a fake gun to steal $1,800. The suspect was arrested by St. Peter police after he was seen in a vehicle believed involved in the holdup.

FBI spokesman Kyle Loven (LOH’-ven) says authorities continue investigating whether the suspect is the serial bank robber dubbed the “Man in Black.”

Wetsch has asked for a public defender. He remains in jail with bail set at $300,000.