Dec 16

Dec 16 Watch: Rochester bank robbery suspect runs by TV reporter during live shot

Rochester police say a man was taken into custody Tuesday afternoon after going back to rob the same bank for the second day in a row.

The second robbery happened around noon, just as KIMT reporter Adam Sallet was giving an update on the previous day's robbery on live TV.

Here's the video from KIMT:

Suspect near robbery scene in Rochester during MidDay
Suspected Sterling State Bank robber runs by KIMT News 3 reporter Adam Sallet on live TV. Here's the initial video.
Posted by KIMT News 3 on Tuesday, December 15, 2015

A bank employee can be seen running up to Sallet as he begins his report. He informs Sallet that a man running nearby is the suspect in the robberies.

"This is live TV, folks," he said. "I got to go here and call 911."

Police were able to catch up with the suspect about 45 minutes later in Dakota County, according to police. He was arrested without incident.

The video of Sallet has been shared thousands of times on social media.

Additionally, numerous news outlets, from BuzzFeed to BBC, have done stories on the incident; late-night host Jimmy Kimmel made it the second part of his opening monologue; and Fox and Friends interviewed him live for a nationwide interview Wednesday morning.

"Oh, that's the robber!" https://t.co/uc8vyi7Cov pic.twitter.com/ntX3RtkPOX
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) December 16, 2015

Look at who made Kimmel. @AdamSalletKIMT #rochmn pic.twitter.com/X2csFWOfPW
— Sean Baker (@SeanBakerMN) December 16, 2015

Background

The first robbery happened Monday around 11 a.m. at Sterling State Bank, located off the 55th Street exit on U.S. 52 North. The suspect handed the teller a note, demanded money and took off with an undisclosed amount of cash.

Police released surveillance photos that showed the suspect — identified as Ryan Liskow, 36, of Rochester — wearing a sweatshirt with the words "get lucky" written on the front.

Man accused of robbing #rochmn bank twice in two days arrested near Farmington. https://t.co/OgxVVhqeBT pic.twitter.com/j29rBR1KK3
— KAAL TV (@ABC6NEWS) December 15, 2015

Liskow returned to the same bank the next day expecting to get lucky again. However, after initially getting away, a Rochester officer returning from training in the Twin Cities spotted Liskow's getaway van on U.S. 52.

He followed the vehicle until officers from other nearby agencies were able to catch up. They then executed a "high-risk" traffic stop just south of Coates.

Deputies just assisted Rochester PD with capture of bank robbery suspect in stolen car after tries to rob same bank twice in 2 days!
— Dakota County SO (@DakotaMNSheriff) December 15, 2015

Later in the afternoon, Sterling State Bank issued the following statement thanking law enforcement for its work in apprehending the suspect.

"Sterling State Bank is thankful that none of our employees were harmed during the robberies that took place at our North Rochester office," the statement reads. "We are also grateful for the fast, professional response from law enforcement in arresting a suspect in these robberies."

Authorities said Wednesday that Liskow admitted to both robberies.

He has a lengthy criminal history that includes multiple burglary convictions, and time in federal prison for a previous bank robbery.

The FBI is handling the case, which is likely to be sent to the U.S. Attorney's Office, according to local officials. He faces up to 30 years in prison.

This has been quite the day, glad everyone in the bank is okay. Also glad authorities arrested the suspect. #rochmn @KIMTNews3
— Adam Sallet (@AdamSalletKIMT) December 15, 2015