Bank robbery attempt thwarted when teller just says no

10 March 2011 - 11:35
By Reuters

The teller told him she wouldn't put the money in a bag - and activated the alarm

A would-be thief's attempt to rob a bank was abruptly thwarted when the teller simply said no to the robber's demand for money, police said.

The unsuccessful thief remained at large, said police in New Rochelle, New York, about 25 miles north of New York City.

He tried to rob a Citibank branch shortly before 10 a.m. by asking a teller for money, said police captain Joseph Schaller.

"He slipped a note through the teller's slot that said 'money in bag'," Schaller said. "She refused and with that, she activated the alarm, turned away from the window and he ran out the door."

The unidentified suspect was wearing a black puffy winter jacket and brown work boots.

The bank closed briefly but soon reopened for business, police said.