A Cottage Grove man is charged with armed robbery after an incident that took place last week on Tuesday, November 30 at Wells Fargo Bank in Cottage Grove. The suspect fled on foot from the bank after the robbery that took place around 3 p.m., an arrest later taking place in the 9400 block of Jeffery Avenue. Evidence was collected both from the bank and the suspect.

Michael Thomas Prall, age 43 of Cottage Grove, is charged with 609.245.2 armed robbery – second-degree, along with 609.487.6 Fleeing a Peace Officer by Means Other Than a Motor Vehicle and 609.50.1(1) Obstruct Legal Process-Lawful Execution Legal Process in the state statutes.

If convicted on the armed robbery charge alone, Prall faces 15 years in jail, a $30,000 fine, or both. Fleeing a Peace Officer by means other Than a Motor Vehicle is a misdemeanor, while the Obstruct Legal Process-Lawful Execution Legal Process charge also carries jail time.

Arrested at 7:01 p.m. November 30 by Cottage Grove Police and booked December 1 at 1:28 a.m. in the Washington County Jail, Prall was treated by paramedics for minor injuries following his arrest as the robbery suspect, then being transported to the Washington County Jail. He was not in custody at the jail as of Monday December 6, while the investigation and legal process continues.

“It’s still an active case as far as I know,” Cottage Grove Deputy Director of Public Safety Greg Rinzel stated Monday morning of the case.