Kansas City, Mo. – In a brazen daylight heist, Phillip Michael Blink, 67, of Promise City, Iowa, robbed the First Interstate Bank in Princeton, Mo. on May 19, 2023, making off with $4,115 in cash.
According to court documents, Blink, wearing a cowboy hat, a red bandana over his face, gloves, and a trench coat, walked into the bank at approximately 9:25 a.m. and approached a teller. He stated in a low voice, ‘I’m sorry, but this is going to be a bad morning.’
Blink then placed a light blue bag on the countertop and demanded that the teller fill it with all the money from her teller machine. However, things took a deadly turn when Blink reached into his right pocket and pulled out a Ruger 9mm semi-automatic handgun. He pointed the firearm at the teller and stated, ‘I told you it was going to be a bad morning.’
After taking the cash, Blink left the bank and got into a Ford F-150 truck. He backed out of a parking space and fled the scene, but not before the bank manager took photographs of Blink and his truck. Employees of the bank quickly called 911 for law enforcement assistance.
Later that day, Blink was pulled over by a Knoxville, Iowa, police officer and arrested. Officers searched his truck and found the Ruger handgun and clothing linked to the bank robbery, as well as the stolen cash.
Under federal statutes, Blink is subject to a sentence of up to 25 years in federal prison without parole for armed bank robbery and an additional mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison without parole, which must be served consecutively, for possessing a firearm in furtherance of the bank robbery.
Blink pleaded guilty to one count of armed bank robbery and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence in federal court. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Trey Alford and was investigated by the FBI.
Defendant Information:
Defendant: Phillip Michael Blink
Arrest Date: May 19, 2023
Criminal Charges: one count of armed bank robbery and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence
Sentence: up to 25 years in federal prison without parole and an additional five years in federal prison without parole
Amount Stolen: $4,115
Location: First Interstate Bank, Princeton, Mo.
Related Federal Cases
Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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