article_snippet.sent: A convicted felon who robbed a bank so Potchen could go back to prison for food and shelter is staying on the straight and narrow after an outpouring of support from Potchen community.
article_snippet.sent: David Potchen, who robbed a bank in Merrillville, Indiana, last June, now has a job as a welder and is staying out of trouble after receiving help from family members that had long been estranged.
article_snippet.sent: The man, 53, had told Judge Clarence Murray earlier this year that Potchen attempted to rob a local Chase bank so that Potchen could get placed back in custody, where Potchen had served 12 and a half years in prison.
article_snippet.sent: David Potchen (pictured 2014), who robbed a bank in Merrillville, Indiana, and waited for police to arrive so Potchen could go back to prison, is now employed and living with the support of Potchen relatives .
article_snippet.sent: Potchen, who was originally sentenced for a 2000 bank robbery, had been making $8.29 an hour in prison but had trouble finding a job on Potchen release, according to the Chicago Tribune.
article_snippet.sent: Potchen  was on probation in June and served 286 more days before Potchen told Judge Clarence Murray that Potchen would plead guilty only if Potchen got the maximum eight years for the recent theft and was put back in prison. '
article_snippet.sent: Potchen had decided Potchen needed to go back to prison after Potchen years free had left Potchen without a job or a place to stay and sleeping in mosquito-filled woods.
article_snippet.sent: After stealing roughly $1,000 with a bank robbery note on the back of Potchen resume, Potchen sat on the curb outside and waited for police.
article_snippet.sent: The ex-con spent 12 and a half years in prison (pictured) and said that Potchen wanted to go back after hitting rock bottom during Potchen parole last year .
article_snippet.sent: The judge decided to let Potchen withdraw Potchen plea and give the 53-year-old a conversion charge that will drop the robbery charge if Potchen stays out of trouble for one year. '
highlights_snippet.sent: David Potchen, 53, robbed bank and sat on curb waiting for police in June .
  
highlights_snippet.sent: David Potchen, 53, robbed bank and sat on curb waiting for police in June .
   had served 12 and a half years starting in 2000 before parole .
  
highlights_snippet.sent: Judge gave Potchen conversion charge and will drop recent robbery charge if Potchen stays out of trouble for a year .
  