Gunman prays with clerk before finishing armed robbery in Indiana; Clerk felt God's presence

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Police say an armed robber spent nearly 10 minutes on his knees praying with a clerk at an Indianapolis check-cashing business before fleeing with $20 from the register.

Security video clearly showed the man's face during the stickup Monday, and a 23-year-old surrendered Tuesday on a preliminary charge of robbery.

Police say the robbery took an unusual turn after the gunman came around the counter when the clerk starting crying and talking about God.

The man said he had a 2-year-old child to support and asked for prayers about overcoming his hardships.

Police say the man removed the bullet from his gun and gave it to the clerk before taking her cell phone and the money.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.

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Clerk felt God's presence as she, gunman prayed

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - The clerk who prayed and hugged a gunman at an Indianapolis check-cashing business says she felt God's presence during the robbery.

Angela Montez says a warmness came over her Monday as she talked with the man even though she was scared that she'd never see her children again.

Montez told ABC's "Good Morning America" on Thursday that when she asked the gunman about his family, he replied that he and his little girl faced being homeless because he'd been unable to find a job. He then fell to his knees and told Montez he wouldn't hurt her before fleeing with $20 from the register.

Security video from the Advance America branch clearly showed the gunman's face.

Police say a 23-year-old man surrendered the next day on a preliminary charge of robbery.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.