St. Paul Man Indicted for Bank Robbery

A 50-year-old St. Paul man was indicted this week in federal court in connection with the Sept. 25, 2008, robbery of a TCF Bank in St. Paul.

Frazier Eugene Turner was charged Aug. 19 with one count of bank robbery. Turner’s indictment alleges he took $600 from the bank located in a Cub Foods store at 1177 Clarence St.

According to a Federal Bureau of Investigation affidavit, the bank was robbed at 9 a.m. The robber, later identified as Turner, gave a teller a demand note that stated, “I have a gun. Give me the money and no one gets hurt.” Turner then unfolded a newspaper, revealing a small, black handgun.

After taking an disclosed amount of cash, Turner left the bank and was recorded on surveillance driving off in a blue van. Later, police spotted a vehicle matching the description of the get-away car in the parking lot of Phalen Golf Course, which is located one mile north of the bank.

Officers observed Turner crossing the parking lot, carrying a golf bag. They immediately arrested him. They then recovered $570 from the golf bag and in his vehicle, found clothing that matched what had been worn by the robber, along with a black wig and four lottery tickets.

If convicted, Turner 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 St. Paul Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Clifford B. Wardlaw.