Crime & Courts

He robbed a bank to escape his wife; court sends him home anyway

By Stan Finger

sfinger@wichitaeagle.com
Lawrence John Ripple, 71, who robbed a bank last fall because he said he preferred prison to living at home, was sentenced to home confinement Tuesday
Lawrence John Ripple, 71, who robbed a bank last fall because he said he preferred prison to living at home, was sentenced to home confinement Tuesday Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Office Courtesy photo

A Kansas City man who robbed a bank because he decided he would rather go to prison than go back home didn’t get his wish.

Lawrence John Ripple, 71, was sentenced in federal court Tuesday to six months home confinement and 50 hours of community service for a bank robbery he blamed on a fight with his wife, U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said in a prepared statement.

According to court documents, Ripple robbed the Bank of Labor at 756 Minnesota Ave. in Kansas City on Sept. 2, then sat down in the lobby and waited for the police to arrive.

He told investigators that after an argument with his wife he felt he would rather be in prison than go back home.

Stan Finger: 316-268-6437, @StanFinger

This story was originally published June 13, 2017 at 5:01 PM with the headline "He robbed a bank to escape his wife; court sends him home anyway."

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