Man tries to rob bank, applies for loan instead

A would-be bank robber in Watsonville, CA was arrested when a clerk convinced him to fill in a loan application instead. While he was filling in the paperwork, the cops arrived and arrested him. Note: the man pictured in the photo below is there only for humorous illustration purposes. He is not the bank robber in question.

But when Mark Smith, 59, allegedly tried to rob the bank, the bank manager suggested that what he actually needed to do was take out a loan, and she had him sit down while she said she was going to retrieve the loan paperwork. Instead, she called 911, according to Assistant District Attorney Dave Genochio.

Man claiming to have a bomb in Watsonville bank gets talked into filling out loan paperwork, then arrested (via Digg)

(Image: bank robber, a Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike (2.0) image from bjornb's photostream)

• [Anonymous]

  Kind of sad in a way; as he was clearly just desperate for money and when offered a legal way-out of his financial trouble he took it.

  Not saying the bank teller did anything ‘wrong’ as such … but I kinda feel like she helped him then betrayed him. Is that a weird reaction? Not saying I’d have done different of course.

  I mean it’s funny as hell; but kinda sad.

  • [Anonymous]

    I agree with you…in these hard times pple will do about anything to get the bills paid and b able to survive. I cant blame him. I can feel his pain, atleast now he will have everything taken care of for him. Free room and board, 3 meals a day, dental and medical paid for compliments of the state of California. He has the perfect retirement package.

  • [Anonymous]

    Well he betrayed her first by threatening to blow her up.

• [freshacconci]

  “It is easier to rob by setting up a bank than by holding up a bank clerk.” Bertolt Brecht

• [The Mudshark]

  Nach einer halben Stund´ bin ich endlich an der Reih´.
  Mein Finger ist schon steif von der blöden Warterei.
  Ich sage: “Jetzt oder nie, her mit der Marie!”
  Der Kassierer schaut mich an und fragt: “Was haben Sie?”
  Ich sage: “An Hunger und an Durst und keinen Plärrer,
  Ich bin der böse Kassenentleerer.”
  Der Kassierer sagt: “Nein, was fällt Ihnen ein?”
  “Na gut,” sag ich, “dann zahle ich halt was ein.”

• [tgvaughan]

  That manager has some serious skillz.

• [kramski]

  So they successfully convinced him to opt for a nonviolent approach and then had him arrested to make sure he’ll feel that nonviolent approaches only screw him over?
  Awesome.

  • [Scarecrow Repair]

    Silly naive kramski. Do you really think anyone unbalanced enough to (a) try to rob a bank, and (b) be distracted and fooled so easily, is going to take kindly to being turned down for the loan?

    Better to handle him now than when he comes back doubly pissed off.

  • [Pantograph]

    He forgot about Rule #1: Never trust a banker.

• [knoxblox]

  Dear Sir,

  We’re sorry to inform you that due to your recent bank robbery conviction, we are declining your request for a loan.

  In the future, please consider us for other services you may be qualified for, such as a savings account or no-fee checking account.

  Sincerely,

  The Bank Who Aided in Your Arrest

• [Joseph Hertzlinger]

  Did he have a gub?

• [JavaGen]

  Interesting that there seems to be more support for the would be criminal than the smart woman who not only saved her company money, but possibly avoided a violent outcome for anyone in the bank, assuming the dumbass had a gun. I applaud the bank manager- she’s definately in the right career- she can sell anything to anyone!

• [Hamish MacDonald]

  So the bank’s position was “We would rather rob you.”

  • [Nom_de_Guerre]

    What I was going to say :), bank robbers shouldn’t mess with the masters

• [Gyrofrog]

  The gentleman in the photograph looks a little like the late Soupy Sales. Thanks for keeping the Spirit of Soupy alive. Keep the faith, babies!