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Bank robbery thwarted when teller says no

NEW YORK | Thu Mar 10, 2011 11:39am EST

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A would-be thief's attempt to rob a suburban New York bank was thwarted when the teller refused his demand for money.

Police said the man remained at large after the attempted robbery on Wednesday in New Rochelle, about 25 miles north of New York City.

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

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

(Reporting by Aman Ali; Editing by Ellen Wulfhorst and Jerry Norton)
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Comments (8)
LeilaR wrote:
Based on my experience working at a bank, I wouldn’t be surprised to hear later on that that teller is fired. Most every bank will tell you to comply with the robbers demands and activate the alarm without their notice. They don’t want to risk injuries to the employees just because they were trying to be “the hero” by not complying or running after the thief. And, of course, they don’t want to deal with any liability issues. So they cover their butts by telling employees that it’s immediate termination if they don’t put themselves and others at risk by not complying.

Mar 10, 2011 10:13am EST  --  Report as abuse
JohnHeagerty wrote:
Just say, “No!”

Nancy Reagan should be proud…

Mar 10, 2011 10:18am EST  --  Report as abuse
LeilaR wrote:
Ok, that last sentence was supposed to say:
So they cover their butts by telling employees it’s immediate termination if they put themselves and others at risk of injury by not complying.

Mar 10, 2011 10:21am EST  --  Report as abuse
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