Ron Chase, the author who chronicled the life of the Mars Hill Vietnam War hero turned bank robber Bernard Patterson, will be exploring some of the mysteries of Maine’s most famous bank heist as well as the mountain terrain this week.
Chase, author of “The Great Mars Hill Bank Robbery,” is visiting Aroostook County this week to give library presentations at Mars Hill’s Hansen Library on Thursday, March 9 at 6:30 p.m. and the Caribou Library on Friday, March 10 and 5 p.m.
The book traces the story of Patterson, who at the age of 24 on Nov. 12, 1971 robbed the Northern National Bank of $177,000. Patterson set off an international manhunt that started with a week hiding out on Mars Hill Mountain, included a trip through Europe and North Africa, and ended with his surrender in Scotland Yard — after nearly spending all the money.
Patterson was released from prison in 1977 and died in 2003 at age 56, and a number of aspects of his robbery remain relatively unknown.
Chase’s talks are focusing on “unsolved mysteries surrounding the robbery and escape with an emphasis on whether or not Bernard had an accomplice or accomplices,” he said. “I think he did.”
Chase, who lives in Topsham, is also leading a group snowshoe hike up Bigrock Mountain on Friday morning starting at 8 a.m. Although the bank robbery occurred in November, Patterson spent those November days in snowy weather on Bigrock Mountain, and Chase has wanted to explore the mountain in winter to simulate the experience.
