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Tot taken to heist at bank, report says

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From staff reports

Published: July 19, 2011

Updated: 07/19/2011 09:48 am

Cherilyn Lopez took her 3-year-old son with her while she robbed a Hudson-area bank and then took the boy to day care, according to the Pasco Sheriff's Office.

A woman who brought in a 3-year-old boy with her when she robbed a bank Monday told deputies that she has a prescription drug addiction and was going to use the money to buy narcotic pills, the Pasco County Sheriff's Office said.

Cherilyn Jannette Lopez, 24, originally drove to Regions Bank, 7512 State Road 52, Hudson, about 2:15 p.m., parked the minivan, and then left the boy in the vehicle, the sheriff's office said.

Lopez entered the bank, but the boy got out of his car seat on his own and headed to the bank. He put his face against the glass and a bank manager noticed him. The bank manager approached Lopez and asked whether the boy was with her, the sheriff's office said.

Lopez then walked outside, grabbed the boy, re-entered the bank and handed a note to a teller, the sheriff's office said. She robbed the bank of an undisclosed amount of cash, deputies said.

Lopez then left the bank and dropped the boy off at a nearby daycare, reports stated. Shortly afterward, deputies stopped a Chrysler minivan on S.R. 52 near Athena Boulevard and arrested her.

Lopez told deputies she has a prescription drug addiction and was going to use the money to buy pills, according to reports. The sheriff's office has not specified Lopez's relationship with the boy.

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