On November 12, 1971, Bernard Patterson, a much decorated Vietnam
War hero turned real-life version of Don Quixote, Butch Cassidy,
and Robin Hood all rolled into one, robbed the Northern National
Bank in Mars Hill, Maine. He escaped with $110,000; at the time,
the largest bank robbery in the history of the state. A tunnel rat
and paratrooper in Vietnam who rose to the rank of sergeant, he was
awarded four bronze stars and recommended for a silver star for
valor. He returned home to northern Maine broke and disillusioned.
Wearing dark glasses, dressed in a Marx Brother's ankle length coat
and wearing a blue wig, he robbed the bank, even though he was
recognized by the elderly teller. He initially escaped by paddling
a rubber raft down the Prestile Stream. This was the beginning of a
comic, outrageous, implausible journey that took him across the
United States, then to Europe and North Africa before finally
surrendering to authorities in Scotland Yard after he had spent
most of the money. Along the way, he lived a raucous life of wine
and women while hobnobbing in aristocratic hangouts and giving
money to those he perceived to be in need; all the time staying
just a heartbeat ahead of law enforcement officials. He motor biked
across Europe, hoodwinked border officials, bought a camel and got
lost in the North African desert. Returned to the United States for
prosecution, he was convicted and imprisoned. Released several
years later, he moved back to northern Maine, where he continued to
lead a reckless life that included running a "pot farm," until he
died at age 56 in 2003. When asked by a friend why he had robbed
the bank, he responded, "The VA wouldn't give me a loan, so I
decided to take one out on my own."
General
Imprint: |
Down East Books,U.S.
|
Country of origin: |
United States |
Release date: |
February 2016 |
Authors: |
Ronald Chase
|
Dimensions: |
229 x 151 x 12mm (L x W x T) |
Format: |
Paperback - Trade
|
Pages: |
160 |
ISBN-13: |
978-1-60893-361-7 |
Categories: |
Books >
Fiction >
True stories >
Crime
|
LSN: |
1-60893-361-X |
Barcode: |
9781608933617 |
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