Minneapolis man receives prison sentence for bank robbery

Authorities with the United States Attorney’s Office in Minnesota say a Minneapolis man will serve time in prison for robbing a bank nearly two years ago in Garrison.

According to the District of Minnesota U.S. Attorney’s Office, 52-year-old John Paciorek II of Minneapolis will serve more than seven years (90 months) in prison for robbing a Deerwood Bank. Last October, he pleaded guilty to one count of armed bank robbery.

Officials say the crime happened in Garrison on July 24, 2020, and involved Paciorek and 52-year-old James Ardito of Fridley, who drove to the area.

Paciorek was accused of waiting in the car while Ardito hid in the bushes outside the bank until an employee arrived.

Ardito then pointed a fake gun at the worker and demanded they open the bank and disable the security system before demanding money from the teller drawers. He was given $402 in cash, and then left in the car that was driven by Paciorek.

Police used surveillance video footage to identify Ardito, who confessed once he was apprehended.

Ardito was sentenced in August to nearly five years in prison (58 months) after pleading guilty to one count of bank robbery in January of 2021.