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Suspects in Kelliher bank heist appear in court

BEMIDJI – The two men accused of robbing a Kelliher bank have been charged for their alleged crimes.

Cody Lowell Troy, 19, of Mizpah, is charged with felony first-degree aggravated robbery. Travis Michael Burns, 20, of Kelliher, is charged with aiding and abetting first-degree aggravated robbery.

If convicted, both charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and $35,000 fines. Both charges also carrying mandatory prison sentences, if convicted: five years for first-degree aggravated robbery and four years for aiding and abetting first-degree aggravated robbery.

Both men appeared Monday morning before Beltrami County District Judge Shari Schluchter. They remained jailed Monday evening in Beltrami County.

Bail for Troy has been set at $600,000 without conditions, $400,000 with conditions; bail for Burns was set at $500,000 without conditions and $200,000 with conditions. Omnibus hearings were scheduled for January before Beltrami County District Judge Paul Benshoof. Troy is set to appear first, on Jan.7, and Burns a week later, on Jan. 14.

The criminal complaints allege that Troy walked into First State Bank of Bigfork in Kelliher wearing a hooded white Tyvek suit carrying a short-barreled, pump-action shotgun.

“The suspect entered the bank and … cycled the pump-action, ostensibly to signal to the teller that the chamber was loaded, and pointed the gun directly at the bank teller,” the complaint states.

Subsequent investigation showed that the teller placed more than $4,000 in the suspect’s bag, according the complaint.

Troy then fled on foot to an awaiting red pickup truck driven by Burns, the complaint alleges.

A search warrant was executed at Troy’s home, where agents seized a sawed-off shotgun, a Tyvek-style suit, and mask and gloves, the complaint states. He was arrested at the scene.

Court papers also state:

Officers found Burns at a Bemidji residence, where he was arrested as he made preparation to flee the area. Burns told police that he knowingly drove Troy to the bank for committing armed robbery. He also admitted that he knowingly assisted in helping him escape the scene by driving him away from the bank.

Troy admitted to police that he committed armed robbery of the bank. He previously was convicted of third-degree burglary in Koochiching County. He also was subject to a failure to appear warrant for a felony charge of second-degree burglary in Itasca County.

Burns has no previous criminal history.

 

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