RIVER FALLS – Charges have been filed in Pierce County Circuit Court against a River Falls man accused of attempting a bank robbery and stabbing an employee April 28.
John William Klug IV, 24, River Falls, will face felony attempted robbery of a financial institution and felony substantial battery charges. If convicted, the maximum penalty is 20 years in prison and/or fines up to $50,000.
“The suspect, John Klug IV, is receiving medical treatment. He will make an initial appearance in Pierce County Circuit Court once medical treatment has concluded,” said River Falls Deputy Chief Matt Kennett.
According to the complaint:
Right before noon on Tuesday, April 28, Pierce County Dispatch notified River Falls police of an attempted robbery at First National Bank of River Falls (104 E. Locust St.) Officers were told that a white man wearing plaid green pants, a black shirt with a receding hair line brandished a knife and had cut one of the bank employees before fleeing the scene in a 2010 gray Nissan Cube. The vehicle was registered to Klug.
While fleeing from the bank, Klug swerved into oncoming traffic and crashed his vehicle into a River Falls squad car being driven by a reserve officer who was conducting parking enforcement in the 800 block of East Cascade Avenue. Klug fled from the scene; witnesses saw him run into a church at 425 E. Cascade Ave. Officers arrested him at the church. Both vehicles were disabled in the crash; the parking enforcement officer was not seriously injured.
An employee at the bank said the man came into the bank, made a statement about needing money and jumped over the counter where the bank tellers were located. He slashed one employee with a knife, which required nine stitches to close. Security footage at the bank confirmed the suspect as Klug.
Officers executed a search warrant on Klug’s vehicle where they found a black handled, silver blade kitchen knife about 9.5-inches long with a 4.5-inch blade. The blade appeared to have blood on it.
Allina EMS transported the injured bank employee to River Falls Area Hospital for
Treatment; they are expected to make a full recovery.
In a news release, the River Falls Police Department extended its appreciation to its partner agencies for their quick assistance during the incident, including the Pierce County Sheriff's Office, Prescott Police Department, St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office, University of Wisconsin-River Falls Police Department, and the Wisconsin State Patrol.
In an April 29 Facebook post, First National Bank of River Falls wrote the following statement:
“Our deepest thanks go out to the law enforcement and EMS teams who responded to quickly and compassionately yesterday. We are beyond grateful for your service and the care you provide in moments that matter most. To our community – thank you for your patience, kindness and support. We feel it and we appreciate it more than words can say.”
Klug currently has one St. Croix County Circuit Court case open, in which he is charged with theft – movable property, criminal trespass to dwelling and disorderly conduct. He pleaded not guilty to those charges March 9 and was released on $500 cash bond.
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ORIGINAL STORY: An armed man attempting to steal money from a River Falls bank Tuesday stabbed an employee and fled the scene, though he was later arrested.
According to a news release from the River Falls Police Department, the suspect, armed with a knife, attempted to steal money at First National Bank of River Falls (104 E. Locus St.), stabbed an employee and fled before officers arrived.
Shortly thereafter, witnesses saw the suspect driving eastbound on Cascade Avenue, east of Sixth Street, when his vehicle swerved into oncoming traffic and collided with a River Falls Police Department unmarked parking enforcement vehicle. Both vehicles were disabled in the crash.
The suspect then fled on foot but was taken into custody a short time later.
The parking enforcement officer involved in the crash was not seriously injured.
Allina EMS transported the injured bank employee to River Falls Area Hospital for treatment; they are expected to make a full recovery.
River Falls Police Chief Gordon Young said no names will be released until charges are filed.
The River Falls Police Department extends its appreciation to its partner agencies for their quick assistance during this incident, including the Pierce County Sheriff's Office, Prescott Police Department, St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office, University of Wisconsin-River Falls Police Department, and the Wisconsin State Patrol.
This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
