MINNEAPOLIS –A Cottage Grove man accused of robbing three banks was sentenced to more than four years in federal prison. Michael Thomas Prall, 43, had pleaded guilty to using force, violence and intimidation. There were three hold-ups, all in November. Prall was caught after robbing the Wells Fargo branch in Cottage Grove. He presented a note to the teller to give him the money in the cash drawer. Prall threatened to shoot the teller or others. The teller complied quickly. Prall fled on foot. Police located him soon thereafter and made the arrest after a short foot chase The robberies:
> Wells Fargo branch in Cottage Grove, $500.
> U.S. Bank branch in Bloomington, $2,500.
> Bremer Bank branch in Woodbury, $4,500.
U.S. Judge Patrick J. Schiltz issued the 57-month prison sentence, plus three years supervised release.
Prall. Three bank robberies in a single month.