Accused bank robber surrenders as cops close in

The man accused of robbing a Bank of America in Norwalk last Thursday and leaving behind a tell-tale clue has turned himself in to police. John Petrides was arraigned Wednesday in Norwalk Superior Court,

News 12 Staff

May 9, 2007, 11:09 PM

Updated 6,460 days ago

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The man accused of robbing a Bank of America in Norwalk last Thursday and leaving behind a tell-tale clue has turned himself in to police.
John Petrides was arraigned Wednesday in Norwalk Superior Court, and his lawyer says that his client?s substance abuse problem is what may have driven him to allegedly commit the crime. Police tell News 12 Connecticut that Petrides is an admitted illegal drug user who passed a threatening note to a teller and left with over $6,800 in cash. However, in his haste, he allegedly left a prescription bottle with his name on the label at the bank.
Petrides' attorney Michael Corsello confirms that the medicine prescribed to Petrides is Suboxin. It?s designed to help drug users kick the habit, but it can also cause aggression if the user abuses chemicals while on it. The lawyer says that aggression may explain some of his client?s suspected criminal actions.
?He was taking Suboxin,? Corsello said. ?Whether he was also ingesting opiates I have no idea but as we all know there was a bottle of Suboxin left behind and that may well explain some of the irrational activity on his part.?
Petrides turned himself in to the authorities Tuesday after police say Petrides' family members warned him he was being investigated. Relatives were present for his arraignment.
The relatives did not want to appear on camera, but they said Petrides left the prescription bottle behind on purpose as a cry for help. Attorney Corsello claims before Petrides robbed the bank, he actually spoke to tellers about his drug habit and his need for help.
Bond for Petrides is set at $300,000. He?s scheduled to return to court on June 7.