Pavese charged for bank robbery

Arrested carrying $3,894

MOSES LAKE - A Moses Lake man is charged with allegedly robbing the Moses Lake Washington Mutual on Monday.

Allen Joseph Pavese, 54, faces charges of robbery in the first degree, assault in the second degree and theft in the first degree, according to Grant County Superior Court records.

Judge Ken Jorgensen set bail at $100,000.

Pavese allegedly was pacing near an island in the bank, when a teller asked if he needed help, according to police records. He reportedly stumbled to the counter and reached across the counter, knocking several displays off of the counter.

Then Pavese allegedly told the teller he was robbing the bank, according to Grant County Superior Court records. The teller reportedly handed Pavese a couple stacks of money.

Pavese then reportedly told the teller, "that's enough," and walked out of the Division Street exit. A witness spotted Pavese allegedly fleeing from the bank in a dark blue Jeep Grand Cherokee, according to police records.

Police located the car in a parking spot on Holly Street. When police arrested him, he allegedly told the officer, "I needed cash, so I robbed a bank." When the officer asked him how he robbed the bank, he asked for a lawyer, according to a Moses Lake police report.

The officer reportedly noticed a wad of cash in Pavese's pocket, totaling $3,894.

In June, Pavese reportedly drove into a Moses Lake Police Department security gate and told police he wanted to go to prison. Police reported he told them he thought about robbing a bank, but decided to ram the gate instead.

He pleaded guilty to malicious mischief in the second degree and was sentenced to 75 days in jail.

If convicted on his current felony charges, Pavese could be sentenced up to life in prison.

There were no reported injuries, according to court records.