Teller admits role in $38,000 robbery
It was April 2006 when Crystal Bass first mentioned to her boyfriend how easy it would be to rob the bank where she worked as a teller.
Two months later, they almost got away with $38,000.
Bass, 22, of St. Charles, now faces up to 20 years in prison for helping concoct and carry out the heist June 1, 2006, at Corporate America Family Credit Union, 1566 E. Main St., St. Charles.
She pleaded guilty Thursday to charges of bank robbery and conspiracy to commit bank larceny after FBI agents unraveled the elaborate scheme.
Her then-boyfriend, Joshua Hreha, 21, of Carol Stream and his former roommate, Brian Nelson, 23, also have pleaded guilty to the same charges and also face maximum sentences of 20 years behind bars. A fourth defendant, 21-year-old Steven Ross of Hanover Park, is scheduled to plead Sept. 25.
According to court documents, Bass and Hreha picked June 1 for the robbery because it was the day after Memorial Day -- a holiday -- and there might be more money on hand.
They decided to carry out the crime about 8:35 a.m. because Bass would be working and there might be fewer customers around.
Nelsen was recruited to act as the robber and, at the last minute, Ross was picked to drive the getaway car, court documents allege. Hreha said he would pretend to be a customer so he could support Bass' phony description of the robber.
Before the robbery, Bass, Nelsen and Hreha scouted out the bank from a car parked outside. Bass pointed out security cameras and described the layout.
On the day of the crime, Hreha asked Ross for a ride to the credit union to take breakfast to his girlfriend, then told him in the car that he actually was about to take part in a robbery. Just before the heist, Nelsen had last-minute reservations about carrying it out, but Hreha told him to "be a man," according to court documents.
Nelsen entered the bank wearing a hooded sweatshirt, sunglasses, latex gloves and a blue bandana over his face. He ordered Hreha, who was acting as a customer, and a second bank employee to get down on the floor. He and Hreha faked a scuffle to make the situation seem serious.
Nelsen then handed Bass a note, demanding money. She stuffed a Target bag with $38,250, which Nelsen took before fleeing through a back door. Bass and Hreha were later interviewed by police but denied knowing about or taking part in the robbery.
According to court documents, the suspects had told at least three people who did not take part in the robbery about their plan.
FBI agents arrested all four defendants in March. Nelsen, Hreha and Bass are scheduled to be sentenced in federal court Nov. 6, 13 and 15, respectively.