WYANDOTTE, Mich. (WXYZ) — Amalia Helton told Wyandotte District Court Judge Elizabeth DiSanto that she has never been convicted of a crime, but all that could soon change now that Helton has been charged with bank robbery in Wyandotte, Allen Park, and Southgate where she's facing two charges of bank robbery.
The 45-year-old stay-at-home mother is accused of being the serial bank robber who has been targeting Downriver banks since November.
Helton allegedly robbed a Chase Bank on Southfield Road in Allen Park just two days after Thanksgiving.
So far, she's accused of robbing four banks and attempting to rob two more.
Police said it was after her attempt to rob the PNC Bank on Fort Street in Lincoln Park that Helton was nabbed by members of a Downriver police task force.
Police said there was a stolen plate on the blue minivan Helton used in her alleged crimes.
During her arraignment in Wyandotte on Wednesday, police said Helton confessed to robbing the Monroe Bank & Trust (MBT) two weeks ago. The MBT is just a two minute drive from the home Amalia Helton shares with her husband and ten-year-old son.
Helton allegedly told Wyandotte Police that she robbed their bank because she and her husband were having a hard time making ends meet.
7 Action News was able to reach Phillip Helton by phone Wednesday. He declined to say much other than their finances are in bad shape and it's his fault.
Citing concern for the public's safety and police concern that Helton is a flight risk, Judge DiSanto set her bond at $250,000 cash or surety.
If Helton is able to post bond, DiSanto told Helton that she must wear a GPS tether and stay out of banks, including ones at grocery stores.
