Richmond bank robbery charge amended

Kelly Foreman
Register News Writer

Sat, May 17 2008

— An Irvine woman accused of attempting to rob a Richmond bank last month was probated Wednesday on an amended charge.
Uleena Kay Stone, 61, pleaded guilty to attempted theft charges in Madison District Court during a preliminary hearing in her case. Madison County Attorney Marc Robbins said while the charges were quite serious, the facts were quite unconventional.
Stone was given a 360-day sentence, which was probated. She also will have to serve 45 days of home incarceration, said Madison District Judge Brandy Oliver Brown.
“It was not the run-of-the-mill facts nor defendant,” Robbins said. “It just had very unusual circumstances.”
Richmond Police arrested Stone after Chase Bank officials on Leighway Drive contacted them April 1 about Stone’s appearance in the bank.
She reportedly was wearing a blue hooded jacket with the hood pulled up over her head and sunglasses.
“Her appearance drew the attention of bank personnel and patrons who became suspicious,” an RPD press release stated. “Apparently aware that she had been noticed, Stone departed the bank without conducting any business.”
No one approached Stone or talked to her while she was inside the bank, said RPD Assistant Chief Jim Wilson.
Stone’s vehicle was located by police on KY 52 and police identified Stone.
After a brief investigation, RPD Maj. Steve Gregg and Detective Aaron Stidham discovered a loaded handgun that allegedly was inside Stone’s purse, Wilson said.
During the course of the investigation, the officers learned Stone “had entered the bank with intentions of robbing it, but became frightened and fled before completing the act,” the release stated.
Wednesday, family members of Stone told Brown that Stone had no prior criminal history.
Kelly Foreman can be reached at kforeman@richmondregister.com or 624-6694.