Man robs Winona bar named Cheaters near cop shop

Published On: Oct 13 2012 09:13:31 PM CDT
WINONA, Minn. (AP) -

A thief with eye for word play who also had a lot of bravado robbed a Winona bar named Cheaters about six blocks from the police station.

Deputy police chief Tom Williams says the man walked in at about 5:30 p.m. Thursday saying he was a state gambling inspector. He claimed he was there to review charitable pull-tab collections. He was given the boxes and the cash.

After a bit, he excused himself, saying he'd forgotten something in his car.

When he didn't return bar employees noticed the money had left with him. At 9:31 p.m., they called police. The amount stolen hasn't been released.

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