Accused US Bank robber arrested

SANDPOINT — Bail has been set at $100,000 for a Sandpoint man accused of robbing a downtown bank on Wednesday.

Kevin Ray McMillan made an initial court appearance via video link from the Bonner County Jail on Thursday. Judge Barbara Buchanan sustained McMillan’s bail and appointed a public defender to represent him.

A preliminary hearing to determine if he should be tried on the robbery charge is scheduled to be held within the next two weeks.

Bonner County Prosecutor Louis Marshall said on Thursday federal authorities have declined to prosecute McMillan, clearing the way for proceedings state court.

Sandpoint Police Chief Mark Lockwood said McMillan entered US Bank shortly before 5 p.m. and gave a note to a teller demanding cash. McMillan did not display a weapon or otherwise indicate that he had one.

There were no injuries in the heist.

“He did get some cash,” said Lockwood who declined to say how much, citing the advice of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

However, McMillan reportedly made off with approximately $1,000.

Lockwood said the money has not been recovered, although the FBI has a record of the bills’ serial numbers.

McMillan, 30, was caught within hours of the holdup, according to Lockwood. McMillan abandoned clothes he was wearing during the robbery in the bank parking lot and shaved the stubble witnesses in the bank reported seeing on his face.

McMillan listed an address at the Elliott Hotel at Second Avenue and Pine Street, which is only a couple blocks away from the bank.

McMillan was later found downtown and resembled witnesses descriptions and video surveillance footage provided to police. Lockwood said it appeared McMillan was drunk.

“He played the game that he was not involved,” said Lockwood.

Lockwood said the cooperation between the community and police were essential to McMillan’s arrest.

“Citizens gave us really good tips,” he said.

Documents filed in 1st District Court describe McMillan as a chronic alcoholic with mental health issues who was periodically homeless. His criminal record in Bonner County consists two prior drunken-driving arrests and a number of petty offenses.

He was arrested for urinating in an employee area at the Ponderay Wal-Mart while attempting to find a restroom in July 2008. A few weeks later, he was accused of attempting to shoplift merchandise from the discount store and subsequently cited for the offense. He was arrested for driving under the influence in 2006.

In a letter to the court, McMillan said he has tried to commit suicide twice because of his alcoholism and begged for a court to order his admission into a treatment program. Friends and family also wrote letters on McMillan’s behalf, indicating he has been hospitalized frequently for alcoholism.

Wednesday’s holdup was the first bank robbery in Bonner County since 2002, when Panhandle State Bank in Ponderay was held up.