Maine’s Biggest Bank Robbery: A Decorated Vietnam Vet Using a Blue Wig and Trench Coat

Finding out about the largest bank robbery in New Hampshire was interesting to me. $2.8 Million dollars and a dead bank president is a heck of a story...but it does not even come close to Maine's biggest bank robbery.

READ MORE: This is the Biggest Bank Robbery Ever Record in New Hampshire That Lead to 2.8 Million Missing and One Dead Bank President

If anything, the largest bank robbery in Maine should be made into a movie. The truth is, according to a Ron Chase Outdoors book and article,  it is a terribly sad story of a decorated Vietnam War Veteran returning home "broke and disillusioned," likely from the war.

But the bank heist is one with theatrics.

On November 12, 1971, Bernard Patterson wore a long trench coat, a blue wig, and glasses while robbing the Northern National Bank in Mars Hill, Maine.

READ MORE: These are the 3 Deadliest Criminals in New England History

Prior to the heist, Patterson was a tunnel rat and paratrooper in Vietnam, earning the rank of sergeant, four bronze stars, and a recommendation for a silver star for valor. Years after the heist, Patterson said, “The VA wouldn’t give me a loan, so I decided to take one out on my own.”

Escaping with $100,000 in 1972, or $750,000 today, Patterson lived a lavish life for sometime. After escaping down the Prestile Stream, he headed across the United States, rode a motorcycle across Europe, and bought a came to ride in Northern Africa.

Eventually, Patterson turned himself in, served his time in prison, and returned to Northern Maine. For the remainder of his life, he ran a pot farm until he died in 2003. He was 56.