Gunman Prays With Clerk Before Finishing Robbery

INDIANAPOLIS – A gunman spent nearly 10 minutes on his knees praying with the clerk at a check cashing business before fleeing with her cell phone and $20 from the register, Indianapolis police said.

Security video from the Advance America branch clearly showed the man's face during yesterday's stickup, and a 23-year-old man surrendered today on a preliminary charge of robbery.

According to the clerk, the robbery took an unusual turn after the gunman came around the counter as she began crying and then talked about God. The man said he had a 2-year-old child to support and asked for prayers about overcoming his hardships.

Sgt. Kevin Wethington says the clerk's actions "certainly didn't hurt" in preventing more troubles.