St. Paul Man Pleads Guilty to Robbing TCF Bank

A 50-year-old St. Paul man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court to robbing a TCF Bank in St. Paul on September 25, 2008. Frazier Eugene Turner appeared before United States District Court Judge David S. Doty in Minneapolis on November 2, 2009, and pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery. Turner was indicted on August 19, 2009.

In his plea agreement, Turner admitted taking $600 from the bank located in a Cub Foods store at 1177 Clarence Street. At 9 a.m. on September 25, he walked into the bank and gave a teller a demand note that read, “I have a gun. Give me the money and no one gets hurt.” Turner then unfolded a newspaper, revealing a small, black handgun.

According to a Federal Bureau of Investigation affidavit, Turner left the bank with the cash provided. Subsequently, he was recorded on surveillance driving off in a blue van. Later, police spotted a vehicle matching the description of the get-away car. It was located in the parking lot of the Phalen Golf Course, which is situated 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. They also found a black wig and four lottery tickets.

Turner faces a potential maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for his crime. Judge Doty will determine his sentence at a future date. This case is the result of an investigation by the FBI and the St. Paul Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Clifford B.Wardlaw.