'Man in Black' pleads guilty to robberies

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- An ex-convict dubbed the "Man in Black" bank robber has admitted stealing more than $110,000 in 31 bank robberies across Minnesota.

Forty-nine-year-old Mark Wetsch pleaded guilty Monday to five bank or credit union robberies between March 9, 2011, and Jan. 3, 2012. Those robberies were in Hastings, St. Peter, Albertville, Hampton and Eden Prairie.

In entering his plea, Wetsch also admitted responsibility for 25 additional bank robberies in 2011. Last month, Wetsch pleaded guilty to holding up the Rolling Hills Bank in Brewster in 2012 -- the robbery that led to his capture.

Wetsch remains in custody. The government is seeking a prison sentence of 14 years. A sentencing date is not set yet.

The "Man in Black" got the nickname for wearing all-black clothing during some of the robberies.

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