CU Manager Reels In Trophy

Call it a consolation prize, if you will.

Dean Wickstrom, the president of Real Financial Centers CU, won't be seeing the $50,000 reward offered for his role in the capture of the state's most prolific bank robber because employees are not eligible for the prize.

But Wickstrom, who helped track down the man responsible for as many as 25 credit union robberies over a two-year period, may end up with a prize anyway-an autographed replica of the robber's trademark fishing hat, worn in many of the hold-ups.

Wickstrom, who helped track the bandit for authorities after the January robbery at his credit union, recently received a letter from the bandit from his jail cell, John Whitrock.

In it the 57-year-old serial robber apologized for scaring Wickstrom's tellers and offered an autographed replica of his signature fishing hat.

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, click here.
MORE FROM AMERICAN BANKER