Saturday November 20, 2009

David Lerman met Joseph C. Breeden 10 years ago when they worked together in Charlottesville. He describes Breeden as, "very calm, funny, friendly, reflective. Not your profile for your average bank robber."

Albemarle County police say Breeden walked into the BB&T Bank on Pantops shortly before 10:30am on Friday. Wearing a black stocking cap, police say he demanded cash from the teller before fleeing on foot.

Police announced Breeden's arrest Saturday morning.

When Lerman saw his friend's mug shot he said, "I was shocked actually. I asked, 'Is that Joe?'"

Lerman says that Joe Breeden has an ex-wife as well as a boy and girl, ages 6 and 10.

But Breeden may have a dark side. On his Facebook profile, he has uploaded many horror film clips. He also posted a quiz to his profile that asks, "What Crime Are You?," to which he answered, "Murder."

Lerman also says that Breeden didn't always have steady work. At times he didn't have a car or another mode of transportation. While Breeden never spoke much about money, Lerman knows that he wasn't always able to provide for his family.

"His income wasn't a steady income," Lerman says of Breeden. "I know that was a source of stress for him."

Still, Lerman says he never thought Breeden could commit such a crime.

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