Richard James Verone, 59, who was suffering from arthritis and a growth on his chest, couldn’t afford health care but knew prison would supply it.
So, unarmed, he allegedly walked into a bank in North Carolina, USA, and politely asked the cashier to hand over no more than a dollar (60p).
Verone then told the cashier he’d ”be sat over there”, and took a seat on a chair while he waited for police to turn up.
He had earlier written a letter to his local newspaper, The Gaston Gazette, saying: ”When you receive this a bank robbery will have been committed by me.
”This robbery is being committed by me for one dollar, I am of sound mind but not so much sound body.”
Verone told the newspaper he had worked for Coca-Cola for 17 years but left three years ago and had a number of roles before worsening health forced him to quit.
He was forced to live off his savings and, after applying for early Social Security and was given food stamps, but could not afford health care and decided committing a crime was the best route.
Verone later told journalists he was a ”logical” man who carried out the crime ”out of necessity” because of his medical needs.
The unlikely criminal, who has never been in trouble with law before, is now being held at Gaston County Jail where he is receiving medical treatment.
He will appear in court next week and can expect to face up to one year in prison if found.
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