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Bank Teller Chases Robber, Loses Job

AP
posted: 8 HOURS 45 MINUTES AGO
comments: 527
filed under: Crime News, Weird News
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SEATTLE (Aug. 22) -- A Seattle bank teller has lost his job because he ran down a would-be bank robber and held him until police arrived. Jim Nicholson, 30, who had worked for more than two years at a Key Bank branch near the Seattle Center, says he understands the bank's strict policy that employees comply with robbery demands and avoid confrontations.
But he told The Seattle Times that instinct took over when a thin man in a beanie cap, dark clothing and sunglasses pushed a black backpack across the bank counter on Tuesday and demanded money.
Nicholson threw the bag to the floor, lunged toward the man and demanded to see a weapon. The man bolted for the door with Nicholson in pursuit.
He chased him several blocks before knocking him to the ground with the help of a passer-by. Nicholson then held the man until police arrived.
On Thursday, Nicholson was fired. Key Bank spokeswoman Anne Foster declined to comment on Nicholson and his actions.
Police and the FBI discourage such heroics. Bank tellers are trained to get robbers out the door quickly and are advised against possibly escalating a situation over money that's federally insured.
Nicholson said he understands why he was fired.
"They tell us that we're just supposed to comply, but my instincts kicked in and I did what's best to stop the guy," he said. "I thought if I let him go he would rob more banks and cause more problems."
Seattle police Sgt. Sean Whitcomb said the best course for citizens is to be good witnesses to crimes.
"When confronted by a violent criminal, it is best to comply unless they feel their personal safety is in jeopardy. It is possible that taking action and confronting the criminal may lead to the injury of the victim or other bystanders."
"You want tellers to be proactive, but you want them to do it safely," said FBI Special Agent Fred Gutt.
The would-be robber, a 29-year-old transient, has a lengthy criminal history, including convictions for theft and robbery, according to court records. Charges in the attempted robbery were not immediately filed.
Nicholson said he has run after shoplifters while working at other retail jobs.
"It's something I almost look forward to. It's a thrill and I'm an adrenaline-junkie person. It's the pursuit," he said.
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2009-08-02 13:29:21
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Fhal

03:03 AMAug 03 2009

its not like the guy was chasing after the robber inside the bank, after the roober left with the stolen money then the teller went after him at his own risk and got fired .

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Lillidebp

03:01 AMAug 03 2009

Severl years ago in this area there was a bank robber that robbed four banks. In one of the banks he had all the emplyees lay flat on the stomachs. This included a pregnant lady who was in her last trimaster. She didn't lay flat, she turned over with her abdomen facing the floor giving plenty of room for her unborn child. This stress could have very well put her in early labor. THANKFULLY she was examined at the ER and there was no harn to the fetus. The stress that that jerk put her and her co-workers thru is unimaginable. The greedy jerk robbers could care less about the people. It's all about greed and power. Thankfully he was caught and put in federal prison for I hope the rest of his pitiful life.

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NeoWiccan4

03:00 AMAug 03 2009

Watsos02:52 AMAug 03 2009The police seem to be afraid of a little competition from the average citizen.NAH THEY JUST DON'T LIKE IT WHEN THE AVERAGE CITIZEN DOES A BETTER JOB AT CATCHING THE CRIMINALS THEN THEY DO LOL

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Slash6778

02:58 AMAug 03 2009

His "RUSH" could have gotten people killed.

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NeoWiccan4

02:57 AMAug 03 2009

Donamorri02:51 AMAug 03 2009Teller or any other bank employess shouldnt try to be heros they can get themselves or other epople killed for their stupidity. GUESS THE SAME GOES FOR COPS AND FIREFIGHTERS AS WELL RIGHT? (IT'S PRETTY STUPID TO RUN INTO A BURNING BUILDING TO RESCUE SOMEONE OR TRY TO STOP AN ARMED CRIMINAL IF YOU ASK ME)

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Edagener2690

02:56 AMAug 03 2009

it was not stupidity the guy is a hero for crying out loud!!! Anybody who cannot figure that out is a complete moron!! If this guy had not have done what he did the next time the robber struck he may have shot and killed the teller!! U people should think about that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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PFMCONSULT

02:55 AMAug 03 2009

I agree with NXSTON08... he should be a cop. He is an admitted 'adrenaline junkie'.

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NeoWiccan4

02:53 AMAug 03 2009

Chasing a robber may put other lives at risk in the the robber's efforts to escape. This guy is a fruit cake. Not saying he deserves to be fired but I think that the banks rules in this manner are in place to protect its employees. SO WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HIM CHASING HIM AND THE COPS CHASING HIM? A BADGE? HERE IS WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF HE HAD NOT CHASED HIM DOWN...THE ROBBER (IF HE HAD A VEHICLE) WOULD HAVE SPED AWAY...THE POLICE (AS POLICY) WOULD'VE GIVEN CHASE AND PUT EVEN MORE LIVES AT RISK...OH AS FOR THE BURNING BUILDING THING...IT WOULD HAVE PUT FIREFIGHTERS LIFE'S AT RISK TO GO IN AFTER THE PERSON. BUT THAT IS WHAT MAKES A "HERO" THE SELFLESS ACT AT PUTTING ONE'S LIFE AT RISK FOR THE SAKE OF OTHERS

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Kittysunflowers

02:52 AMAug 03 2009

He broke a company rule set in place not only for his own safety, but that of the customers. If he enjoys chasing after criminals as much as this story indicates (by his own admission) maybe he should become a cop rather than a bank teller anyhow.

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Watsos

02:52 AMAug 03 2009

The police seem to be afraid of a little competition from the average citizen.

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A Seattle bank teller has lost his job because he ran down a would-be bank robber and held him until police arrived. Jim Nicholson, 30, who had worked for more than two years at a Key Bank branch near the Seattle Center, says he understands the bank\'s strict policy that employees comply with robbery demands and avoid confrontations.