BEND, Ore.–A 28-year-old man here who allegedly robbed a credit union used the stolen money to buy a Christmas tree and then attempted to hide behind it as the police were closing in.
Ben Police said Brett Gillispie-Comstock approached a teller at the Selco Community Credit Union branch here and handed her a note demanding $5,000. He received $1,373 in an envelope before fleeing, according to police, but only after reportedly saying to the teller, "I hope you have really good holidays."
The Oregonian reported that Gillispie-Comstock used some of the money to purchase a Christmas tree, and he then tried to use the tree to hide his face as police approached less than an hour later. Bend police said they used surveillance video to track down Gillispie-Comstock.
According to authorities, after the robbery Gillispie-Comstock also went to a marijuana dispensary and purchased a beanie hat and a hoodie, the Oregonian reported, and also bought doggie treats at a pet store.
The suspect told investigators that he and his mother needed money for rent, Christmas presents and a Christmas tree after losing $400 while gambling, the Oregonian reported.