Homeless man charged in bank robbery told Middletown police he wanted ‘to get back on my feet’

So Michael D. Adkins, Jr., 27, allegedly decided to rob a bank Thursday afternoon, police said.  

FIRST REPORT: Homeless man arrested in River Valley Credit Union robberyAs Adkins was walking on Elliott Drive, he went into the River Valley Credit Union, wrote a note and handed it to a teller. The note instructed the teller to give Adkins “all the money” and not to call police.  

Adkins left the credit union with an undisclosed amount of cash, and as he ran away from the bank, a dye pack inside the bag exploded. The red dye was still visible on the sidewalk in front of the bank Thursday afternoon as Middletown police officers completed their investigation.  

When Middletown police and the State Highway Patrol arrived, a perimeter was set up, said Maj. Scott Reeve.  

Adkins, formerly of Trenton, was apprehended by Middletown police and the State Highway Patrol in the area of Batsy Drive and Breiel Boulevard, less than a half-mile away from the credit union, police said. Reeve said capturing Adkins was easier because there was no get-away vehicle and he fled on foot.  

Adkins was charged with robbery, a third-degree felony, since he didn’t display a weapon during the incident.

He appeared Friday morning in Middletown Municipal Court and Judge James Sherron set his bond at $25,000. Adkins was assigned a public defender.  

After he was apprehended, Adkins was transported to the police station, and during his interview with a detective, he allegedly admitted to the crime, police said.  

Adkins faces up to five years in prison with a $10,000 fine if convicted of the robbery charge, Sherron said.  

He remains in the City Jail and his preliminary hearing was set for Aug. 24.  

There also was a warrant for his arrest from the Trenton Police Department, according to court records.