Sometimes it takes clever wits rather than force to outsmart the crook.
James Timothy Kelly, 77, made his way to a PNC Bank in Hollywood with a plan to steal some cash. Kelly’s plan backfired when he wasn’t able to steal a stash of cash and the bank teller fooled him into sitting the lobby, waiting for the law enforcement to arrest him.
Kelly was seen with a polo shirt, grey shorts, and a white hat while carrying a white mesh bag. He passed a note to the teller that read, “Give me the money.”
FBI stated: “In fear, the victim bank teller pretended not to see the note and handed a bank withdrawal slip to Kelly who replied ‘I am not here for that. I am here to rob you.'”
The teller pretended to face technical difficulties with the computer and told him to have a seat. He obeyed her request and sat down nearby. He was caught on PNC Bank’s security footage sitting in the branch after his threatening note to the teller.
According to the Hollywood Police Department, officers were notified about the bank robbery and immediately made their way to the branch. “Responding law enforcement officers entered PNC Bank through the back entrance and found Kelly sitting in the lobby,” the affidavit stated.
The suspect was taken to the FBI Miami field office for an interview, and he “admitted to entering the PNC Bank, demanding money by means of intimidation, and failing in his attempt to rob the bank.”
A PNC spokesperson said the bank “worked with authorities to investigate an incident at a PNC branch in Hollywood, Florida last Friday, which did not result in any injuries.”
In this case, warming up the seat in the lobby only put this thief in the hot seat. A spur-of-the-moment lie ended up saving the day.