Man admits to Princeton bank robbery
By NewsPress Now
An Iowa man pleaded guilty Friday in federal court to robbing a bank in Princeton, Missouri, last year.
Phillip Michael Blink, 67, of Promise City admitted to one count of armed bank robbery and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, federal prosecutors said. He robbed First Interstate Bank in Princeton on May 19, 2023.
Wearing a cowboy hat, a red bandana over his face, gloves and a trench coat, Blink walked into the bank that morning and told a teller, “I’m sorry, but this is going to be a bad morning.”
After placing a bag on the countertop and demanding money, Blink reached into his pocket and pulled out a Ruger 9mm semi-automatic handgun, setting it on the countertop and pointing it at the teller.
After taking $4,115, Blink left the bank, but the bank manager photographed the man and his truck. Later that day, Blink was pulled over by a Knoxville, Iowa, police officer, and he admitted to the robbery.
Blink could be sentenced to up to 25 years in federal prison without parole for robbery and an additional mandatory minimum sentence of five years without parole, which must be served consecutively, for possessing a firearm in furtherance of the bank robbery. A sentencing date has not been set.
