Alleged bank robber bought lotto tickets

JOLIET, Ill., Sept. 5 (UPI) -- Police in Joliet, Ill., said a bank robbery suspect was arrested after he used allegedly stolen money to buy lottery tickets minutes after the crime.

Deputy Police Chief Patrick Kerr said Jack Menolascina, 48, was spotted by a police officer behind a gas station only three minutes after the 11:29 a.m. robbery at a Bank of America branch on the opposite corner from the station, the Joliet Herald reported Friday.

"He had just purchased $10 of scratch-off lottery tickets inside," Kerr said.

"Menolascina was very apprehensive when the officer approached him," Kerr said. "He was placed in handcuffs. The officer patted him down and found he was carrying a large amount of currency in a bank wrap."

Kerr said Menolascina allegedly had stolen the money just minutes before he was spotted by the officer.

"He came in (to the bank), demanded money and said he was armed with a gun," Kerr said.

Kerr said Menolascina, who has been charged with aggravated robbery, attempted suicide at the police station.

"While he was waiting in the interview room, he took off the shirt he had and tried to strangle himself," Kerr said. "Our detectives saw this on the monitors and stopped him."

The suspect was taken to Silver Cross Hospital for an evaluation, Kerr said.