MINOT (AP) - A bank teller accused of staging a robbery by hitting herself in the head with a rock has been given a four-month sentence for theft and false statements and has been ordered to repay more than $18,000.

Authorities said Tamara McDonald of Souris told officers she was knocked out by someone from behind while she was working at State Bank of Bottineau branch in Souris on March 25. She later admitted she had staged the robbery to cover up evidence that she was stealing money from the bank.

In sentencing the 45-year-old McDonald, federal Judge Daniel Hovland recommended she serve four months at the Centre, Inc., halfway house in Mandan, followed by four months of home confinement. She was ordered to repay $18,452.