Robert T. Hendrickson listens as his lawyer addresses a judge about the March holdups.
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – It’s off to prison for a 23-year-old Centralia man whose short-lived bank robbery career included trying to hold up a credit union that keeps no cash in its drawers.
Robert T. Hendrickson admitted to making off with money from Chase Bank on South Market Boulevard the morning of March 17, and moments earlier attempting to do the same at the nearby Twin Star Credit Union.
When he asked for all the cash in the drawer there, an employee said there wasn’t any, but he could get some out of their ATM.
Hendrickson and the driver of the getaway car were captured less than 30 minutes later after a high speed chase and a wreck on Cooks Hill Road in Centralia. Hendrickson was taken to the ground by a police dog when he tried to run.
“This is extraordinarily uncharacteristic of his general demeanor,” his attorney told a judge. “My client has admitted a drug problem.”
Hendrickson pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five and a half years on Thursday in Lewis County Superior Court.
The charges included a bank robbery the night before in Olympia at a U.S. Bank branch inside a Safeway store.
Chehalis defense attorney Chris Baum said he worked with other lawyers to get the two cases combined for the plea agreement.
Baum suggested to Judge James Lawler in court on Thursday afternoon that his client was influenced by his partner.
“(Robert) Hughes sat in the car,” Baum said.
The attorney noted Hendrickson was never armed and never threatened anyone with a weapon.
Lewis County Deputy Prosecutor Will Halstead recommended five and a half years, the middle of the standard sentencing range for the crimes.
Hendrickson, who has no previous felonies on his record, told Judge Lawler he’s going to use the time to change his life.
Hughes, 32, of Tenino, pleaded guilty last month and was sentenced to five years for the incidents in Lewis County. He faces more potential time for the Thurston County bank robbery, Halstead said.
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For background, read: “Foiled Chehalis bank heists lead to serious charges for local pair” from Monday March 19, 2012, here
Twin Star Credit Union was closed temporarily after an attempted robbery the morning of March 17.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter