He handed the teller a note demanding exactly one dollar, then sat down and waited calmly for police to arrive. He wasn't trying to get away with anything — he wanted to get caught.
The Robbery
In June 2011, James Verone, 59, of North Carolina, walked into an RBC Bank and handed a teller a note reading, "This is a bank robbery. Please give me $1." After receiving the money, he sat near the bank's entrance and waited for police to arrive, making no attempt to flee.
The Reason
Verone, who had no prior criminal record, was unemployed and uninsured at the time, dealing with several untreated health problems, including a growth on his chest, two ruptured spinal discs, and a foot condition. He later told authorities he had deliberately robbed the bank for exactly $1 — enough to constitute a robbery charge, but clearly not a financially motivated one — in hopes that a prison sentence would provide him with medical care he couldn't otherwise access. He did not use a weapon and said he hoped for roughly three years behind bars.
FAQ
Why did James Verone rob a bank for only $1?
He said he lacked health insurance and hoped a prison sentence would provide him with medical treatment he couldn't otherwise afford.
Did James Verone have a criminal record before this?
No, he had no prior criminal history.
Did he use a weapon during the robbery?
No. He carried no weapon and made no attempt to resist arrest.