Bank teller foils holdup, nabs suspect — loses job

Seattle Times ^ | August 1, 2009 | Jennifer Sullivan

[reaganaut1]

Jim Nicholson knew he should have just handed over the cash.

But when the thin man in a beanie cap, dark clothing and sunglasses pushed a black backpack across the bank counter and demanded money, Nicholson says his instincts took over.

After more than two years working as a teller at the Key Bank branch in Lower Queen Anne, Nicholson clearly understood the bank's strict policy of quickly complying with robbers' demands and avoiding confrontation.

Instead, Nicholson threw the bag to the floor, lunged toward the robber and demanded to see a weapon. Surprised, the would-be bank robber backed up and then bolted for the door, with Nicholson on his heels.

Nicholson, 30, chased the man for several blocks before knocking him to the ground with the help of a passer-by. Nicholson then held him until police arrived.

That was Tuesday.

On Thursday, Nicholson was fired.

In a state that consistently ranks in the top 10 nationally in bank robberies, what Nicholson did was not only ill-advised, according to police and the FBI, it was all but unheard of. Bank tellers are trained to get robbers out the door as quickly as possible and are advised against being a hero over money that's federally insured.

[the_devils_advocate_666]

A little history that I like from my home town:

In 1921 four men got a ride in to Bruceton Mills with a local farmer on a wagon coming from Morgantown. They asked the farmer many questions about the bank. The farmer, being suspicious, called the bank cashier at the time, Jeremiah Thomas, and told him that the four men might try to rob the bank. Two of the men hid behind a church while the other two men,( Named Moore and Madden), stopped at a house owned by the Benson family and stole some food and guns. While they hid in the woods the men ate the food and then proceeded to the bank. At the bank a group of men including Dr. DeFoe was waiting for them. Moore the smaller of the two stood behind Madden and took a shot at Dr. DeFoe but missed. Dr. DeFoe returned fire and shot Moore, who died soon after. The same bullet snapped the suspenders off the pants of Madden. Constable Benson then went to the church and arrested the other two men, one of which was carrying a bottle of liquid later determined to be nitroglycerin.

[JrsyJack]

People who rob banks aren't very smart.

They might not be very smart but they do know that a weapon is no longer required because of policies like this. They simply present the teller with a note and walk out with the money. Perhaps this gentleman just thought, "enough already."

[allmendream]

And that way it isn’t even “armed robbery”.

[Churchillspirit]

Mr Nicholson behaved stupidly. Bank tellers (of which I was one) are given extensive training in how to re-act to a hold up. Most banks have silent alarms that the teller can activate without alarming the perp. Leave it to the professionals to take care of the robber.

We were always trained that the money can be replaced, the employees - or indeed any innocent person who gets in the way of a panicked thief - cannot be.

It is a tried and true policy and Mr Nicholson should have known better.

[NohSpinZone]

All right, maybe my sense of cynicism is at an (justifiably) all-time high, but who DOESN’T believe that the robber is going to sue the ex-teller and the bank for trauma, humiliation and emotional distress.

I’ve seen worse...No, this country doesn’t need tort reform whatsoever.

[Almondjoy]

I think the Old West was more suited for you.

[spinestein]

[You only say this because you have no clue what happens in a bank robbery. Do you know anyone that has worked at a bank and been in a take over robbery? Doubt it. If you did you would know this man could of gotten people killed.

Or wait maybe you’re right.. we need more people getting killed over a few thousand dollars. Silly me.]

Silly you - maybe you didn’t read the part where I said this: “I think it’s dangerous for untrained bank tellers to try to take on a bank robber on a whim, thinking they’ll be a hero and, in general, I agree with the bank policy of discouraging their employees from doing so.”

[Almondjoy]

Your post #10 had no such comments.

[spinestein]

[Your post #10 had no such comments.]

The relevant comment was in my post #10 which was just as easily readable.

[editor-surveyor]

I have to call BS on this bank, the police, and the FBI.

If more people would do this, bank robery would cease to happen.