Man accused of robbing bank posts photo, video on Instagram

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- A man arrested for robbing a bank posted a photo and videos of the alleged theft on social media -- but said he shouldn't have been charged because he didn't threaten anyone and politely asked for the money.

Dominyk Antonio Alfonseca, 23, was arrested on Monday in Virginia Beach about 20 minutes after a TowneBank branch was robbed.

Alfonseca told media outlets in interviews from jail Wednesday that he posted a photo of the note he handed to a bank teller, along with two videos of her reading it and handing over the money, to Instagram.

"For real, I didn't even do it for money, you understand? I didn't do that for money. I knew my page would get exposure," Alfonseca told ABC affiliate WVEC-TV.

He says he simply and politely made a request for money, and the teller gave it to him.

"No threats in it. If you see me in the video or whatever like that, I have a shirt on, no weapon, no mask, and she passes me the money," said Alfonseca. "I don't want to get her in trouble. Maybe she made a mistake. Maybe she made a mistake, and I didn't make a mistake."

The videos of the incident remain on Alfonseca's Instagram acccount. He didn't say why he posted them, but said if it had been a "real" robbery, he never would have done so.

"I videotaped it. If it was a robbery, I don't think I would videotape it, post the picture of the letter and do that all to come to jail," he told WAVY-TV. "I'm basically asking permission for money. In my eyes I did not commit a robbery, and I feel I'm being charged without reason."

A photo posted to Alfonseca's Instagram account shows a handwritten note in which the writer remarks that it would probably take three or four minutes for police to arrive, so "I would appreciate it if you ring the alarm a minute after I'm gone." It also says to "make sure the money doesn't blow up" on his way out. The videos show a bank teller reading the note and putting money into a bag.

Alfonseca now claims he is the one who is the victim of theft.

Alfonseca was quoted by the Virginian-Pilot as saying that he has been the victim of theft, with businesses and artists stealing ideas from his Instagram account.

He told the newspaper it's as if there's a chip in his brain that tells people what he thinks before he says it.

"For real, I felt like I got robbed, 'cause they gave me the money. Then, the police robbed my brain," Alfonseca told WVEC-TV.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.