Man robs bank to get medical care in jail

Some people who need medical care but can't afford it go to the emergency room. Others just hope they'll get better. James Richard Verone robbed a bank.

Earlier this month, Verone (pictured), a 59-year-old convenience store clerk, walked into a Gaston, N.C., bank and handed the cashier a note demanding $1 and medical attention. Then he waited calmly for police to show up.

He's now in jail and has an appointment with a doctor this week.

Verone's problems started when he lost the job he'd held for 17 years as a Coca Cola deliveryman, amid the economic downturn. He found new work driving a truck, but it didn't last. Eventually, he took a part-time position at the convenience store.

But Verone's body wasn't up to it. The bending and lifting made his back ache. He had problems with his left foot, making him limp. He also suffered from carpal tunnel syndrome and arthritis.

Then he noticed a protrusion on his chest. "The pain was beyond the tolerance that I could accept," Verone told the Gaston Gazette. "I kind of hit a brick wall with everything."

Verone knew he needed help--and he didn't want to be a burden on his sister and brothers. He applied for food stamps, but they weren't enough either.

So he hatched a plan. On June 9, he woke up, showered, ironed his shirt. He mailed a letter to the Gazette, listing the return address as the Gaston County Jail.

"When you receive this a bank robbery will have been committed by me," Verone wrote in the letter. "This robbery is being committed by me for one dollar. I am of sound mind but not so much sound body."

Then Verone hailed a cab to take him to the RBC Bank. Inside, he handed the teller his $1 robbery demand.

"I didn't have any fears," said Verone. "I told the teller that I would sit over here and wait for police."

The teller was so frightened that she had to be taken to the hospital to be checked out. Verone, meanwhile, was taken to jail, just as he'd planned it.

Because he only asked for $1, Verone was charged with larceny, not bank robbery. But he said that if his punishment isn't severe enough, he plans to tell the judge that he'll do it again. His $100,000 bond has been reduced to $2,000, but he says he doesn't plan to pay it.

In jail, Verone said he skips dinner to avoid too much contact with the other inmates. He's already seen some nurses and is scheduled to see a doctor on Friday. He said he's hoping to receive back and foot surgery, and get the protrusion on his chest treated. Then he plans to spend a few years in jail, before getting out in time to collect Social Security and move to the beach.

Verone also presented the view that if the United States had a health-care system which offered people more government support, he wouldn't have had to make the choice he did.

"If you don't have your health you don't have anything," Verone said.

The Affordable Care Act, President Obama's health-care overhaul passed by Congress last year, was designed to make it easier for Americans in situations like Verone's to get health insurance. But most of its provisions don't go into effect until 2014.

As it is, Verone said he thinks he chose the best of a bunch of bad options. "I picked jail."


How desperate does someone need to be to go this far Terrible

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Re: Man robs bank to get medical care in jail

Very sad that he felt this was his only option.

Re: Man robs bank to get medical care in jail

Awwww, that poor soul!!!! May he get the help he needs!!! Mary

Re: Man robs bank to get medical care in jail

It is coming to this in this country.

My cousin is an out of work construction worker.

He once owned his own company and rode the housing boom in FL. He's the nicest, hardest working guy... he'd give you the shirt off his back.

One year after losing his company in the Great Recession, and not being able to find any work at all, he was diagnosed with skin cancer on his left cheek... after 2 decades of working in the FL sun.

He didn't qualify for medicaid because he owns a small FL condo... he lived beneath his means and it's paid for. He didn't cheat and work the system. He has a DD and is behind on child support.

His parents, my aunt and uncle, had to cash in retirement assets (Thank God they always scrimped and saved) to pay for their 45 year old son's cancer treatment IN CASH!!! You don't want to know how much that is... well into six figures to hopefully save his life.
They moved him to another town, a research hospital, rented an apt and lived down there for 6 months. They are in their 70's.

All of this was going on while during the weeks Congress was debating Obama's health care plan. To me Congress was holding Brian's life in their hands

I am saddened and furious that this can happen in our country. It's disgusting that health care is for profit in our country. So many people's health and life are in jeopardy because their insurance is tied to their job.

I better stop now IMO, it's only one of the many reasons for our complete global decline We are imploding as a society.

That poor man and the millions who are in the same position Oh, but our gov't thinks we need to spend money on...

Re: Man robs bank to get medical care in jail

That is simultaneously the saddest AND the most infuriating thing I have ever read!!!!

Re: Man robs bank to get medical care in jail

I have no words to describe the heartache

Re: Man robs bank to get medical care in jail

In the richest country in the world people can't get the medical care the need and go to bed hungry.
Unbelievable isn't it?

Re: Man robs bank to get medical care in jail

What a awful story. They said on the news he may not even do much time since he only asked for a dollar

Re: Man robs bank to get medical care in jail

Posted by Mrs213

What a awful story. They said on the news he may not even do much time since he only asked for a dollar

Re: Man robs bank to get medical care in jail

So sad that it has come to this

Re: Man robs bank to get medical care in jail

It's a complete shame!!!! And there are still people who think the Gov. should not interfere with Laws for people who lost their jobs, etc...

COBRA is a JOKE. Nobody who lost their job can afford it.

It really infuriates me to see people who ARE in need, looking for jobs not geting the help.

Can we let people die because they can't afford health benefits? Is that what we stand for?

Re: Man robs bank to get medical care in jail

This really saddens me so much. I hope this grabs the attention of our govt. I work in a doctors office and so many patients are not coming in for their follow ups because they dont have insurance or can't afford their ridiculous copays. What hurts even more is when I have elderly patients who are malnourished because they have to use what little $ they have to pay for their medication instead of healthy food. Some can hardly walk but can't get a home health aid because they own a home. Its disgusting and infuriates me so much.

Re: Man robs bank to get medical care in jail

Wow, that's terrible. I can't imagine being driven to that point, but I'm sure it happens every DAY.

Re: Man robs bank to get medical care in jail

Such a sad story? I wonder if he qualifies for Medicaid?