Ex-con who wanted to return to prison may get fresh start

MERRILLVILLE, Ind. (AP) - An unemployed ex-convict who robbed an Indiana bank to ensure he'd be sent back to prison and have food and shelter is getting a fresh start thanks to people touched by his plight.

A pretrial diversion agreement offered by prosecutors Wednesday calls for 53-year-old David Potchen to avoid a felony robbery charge and instead face a misdemeanor conversion charge that will be dismissed within a year if he stays out of trouble.

Defense attorney Stephen Scheele told The (Munster) Times (http://bit.ly/1C0J4NM ) that Potchen, a welder, has two job offers waiting for him once he's released from custody. He also has an offer of an apartment that's within walking or biking distance of one of the jobs.

Potchen told a judge last month that he had robbed a Chase Bank in Merrillville last June because he was desperate after losing his $11-an-hour job and room at a Gary motel.

He left with $1,160 and waited in a parking lot until police arrived, then told them, "I'm the one you are looking for; I robbed the bank."

Scheele told Lake County Criminal Court Judge Clarence Murray that the community has rallied around Potchen, offering donations of clothing along with the promises of housing and employment.

"I just want to thank everyone," Potchen said.

Potchen is on probation for a 2001 incident in which he took employees of a Lowell bank hostage at gunpoint. Instead of asking for money, Potchen asked negotiators for Big Macs, nacho chips, cheese dip and pretzels.

After his release, he worked at a Gary railcar company until he was laid off.

Scheele said his client is keeping track of the donations he's received so he can repay people someday.

"David is resolute that this will happen," he said.

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Information from: The Times, http://www.thetimesonline.com