SAN FRANCSCO–A man who was arrested here at a hospital just hours after his wife gave birth has pleaded guilty to robbing approximately 17 different banks and credit unions. Separately, in Pennsylvania, another man has been charged with threatening to cut out the tongues of employees at another credit union.
In San Francisco, Duane Kurt Makela, 50, entered a guilty plea before U.S. District Judge Charles R. Breyer and admitted he had robbed 17 banks or credit unions and attempted to rob two others during an 11-month span before February. On 10 occasions, Makela pointed what appeared to be a handgun at branch employees, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
Makela was arrested at the hospital where his wife had just given birth to their second child earlier this year.
Threats to Employees
Meanwhile, in East Marlborough, Penn., state police are investigating a case involving threats of harassment after a man threatened to cut out the tongues of employees of a branch of Franklin Mint Credit Union, as well as those of state troopers at the Avondale barracks. According to police, the man is upset and believes neither the credit union nor the police are working to retrieve money he lost in a scam, DailyLocal.com reported. The publication reported police said the man stated he knows people that can hurt the troopers and whoever is not handling his case properly will be hurt.
The original incident — in which the suspect claims to have sent $11,700 for a classic car that was never delivered — is being investigated, according to the DailyLocal, which did not identify the suspect.