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SEATTLE — 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.
___
Information from: The Seattle Times, http://www.seattletimes.com
© 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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 | Bank teller fired after tackling robber | The Sydney Morning Herald | Sun Aug 2 | 1 |
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{"commentId":8585313,"authorDomain":"poorshot"}
The robber was the bank presidents brother in law.
{"commentId":8585313,"threadId":"641147","contentId":"3107778","authorDomain":"poorshot"}
- 1 vote
#1 - Sun Aug 2, 2009 2:21 PM EDT{"commentId":8621463,"authorDomain":null}
I say nice job bank teller man...rarely do the police do the right thing. we need more of this in society. We need the average citizen to stand up and say enough is enough. The bank officials sould be fired for being so stupid.
{"commentId":8621463,"threadId":"641147","contentId":"3107778"}
{"commentId":8585458,"authorDomain":"wescoast"}
While I completely understand the employer's position, wanting to avoid any liability,if I had caught thief while waiting for the police, I would dish out a little of my own justice. He should have smashed his head into the side walk an accidental 4-5 times. Several years ago while working at a bar, I helped caught a guy who tried to run a couple of the staff over because he was ejected because of his behavior. While waiting for the police I stood on both his ankles and kind of alternated jumping up and down on them. Consideringhe just tried to kill me with his truck I felt more than justified letting him know what I thought of him. Yes, Virginia his screams did give me a rush- I only wish I had broken both ankles as a souvenir of his night out. Were my actions against the law? My response to him and you dear reader, Sue me!
{"commentId":8585458,"threadId":"641147","contentId":"3107778","authorDomain":"wescoast"}
- 1 vote
#2 - Sun Aug 2, 2009 2:31 PM EDT{"commentId":8592942,"authorDomain":"darreth"}
Wescoast: Thanks for giving me a LAUGH!!! I live in a small town in North Central Nebraska and we have a few "Holidays" that basically equate to an excuse to get sh!t-faced and obnoxious.
I was watching the back door of one of the local clubs when I had a guy come up and try to get past me! (We were charging an admission that night and we had little bracelets that showed you had paid) (APPARENTLY BECAUSE HE WAS A REGULAR THIS DIDN'T APPLY TO HIM) Well... I didn't see it that way... after yelling at me for a while he left and then went to the front door... where the guy watching let him in! He came back PAST me and left. He RETURNED about 1/2 hour later and demanded to be let in. What he failed to realize was that the guy at the front hadn't given him a bracelet... so I ONCE MORE refused to let him in! And once AGAIN he went to the front and this time was smart enough to get a bracelet! He AGAIN came past me and then came back to the door and AGAIN I refused to let him in! (God I'm mean AREN'T I?) He began waving the bracelet in my face and screaming about how he had a bracelet and that he WAS GOING TO COME IN. After warning him to "Get out of my face and to lower his voice... I just reached up and grabbed him by the throat and we went for a "Little walk" outside... I told him that if he wanted to come back in he WAS going to pay the fee... and if he didn't like that he could go to one of the other bars! That was the last I saw of him that night!
The problem is there are always idiots that think the rules don't apply to them!! And when you mix alcohol in with the normal amount of stupid that is floating around in their systems you are eventually going to have to have a "Heart to Heart".
Just thought you would like to know there are others out there who know what it's liketo deal with idiocy!!! *GRIN*
{"commentId":8592942,"threadId":"641147","contentId":"3107778","authorDomain":"darreth"}
{"commentId":8628516,"authorDomain":"Lis"}
So violence and abuse of authority are ok, just as long as it's justified. Interesting.
You are also promoting bashing someone's face in for stealing money from a bank. WTF? It sounds like both of you enjoy the adrenaline rush of confrontation. So how's that working out for ya?
{"commentId":8628516,"threadId":"641147","contentId":"3107778","authorDomain":"Lis"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":8631586,"authorDomain":"NevadaEa"}
Finally people with backbone that won't roll over and let us all get that shaft!!! You go bank teller MAN
{"commentId":8631586,"threadId":"641147","contentId":"3107778","authorDomain":"NevadaEa"}
{"commentId":8586836,"authorDomain":"myriver"}
And so... there's nothing left to do but play the victim.....
{"commentId":8586836,"threadId":"641147","contentId":"3107778","authorDomain":"myriver"}
- 1 vote
#3 - Sun Aug 2, 2009 4:19 PM EDT{"commentId":8626470,"authorDomain":"flustered-69"}
Well next time he should try out for the security division..
{"commentId":8626470,"threadId":"641147","contentId":"3107778","authorDomain":"flustered-69"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":8588950,"authorDomain":"rlcr55"}
It has always been the rule to give the robber everything they want as far as bank robberies are concerned. I worked as a teller for 10 years, and was present for one successful robbery and one unsuccessful one. For the unsuccessful one, the man put a bag on the counter and told me to fill it with money. I was not working at my regular branch and he was not a customer I recognized. I just sat there and stared at him until he gave me a deposit, took his receipt and left the bank. Then I reported him.
I did almost get fired for accepting a $500 dollar bill in a deposit. It was a regular customer, and I examined the bill very carefully before accepting it. I turned it over to the head teller as soon as the transaction was completed, and that was when everything hit the fan. Since the bill was real and the depositor was known, I was allowed to keep my position.
{"commentId":8588950,"threadId":"641147","contentId":"3107778","authorDomain":"rlcr55"}
#4 - Sun Aug 2, 2009 7:08 PM EDT{"commentId":8590408,"authorDomain":"myriver"}
I did almost get fired for accepting a $500 dollar bill in a deposit. It was a regular customer, and I examined the bill very carefully before accepting it. I turned it over to the head teller as soon as the transaction was completed, and that was when everything hit the fan. Since the bill was real and the depositor was known, I was allowed to keep my position.
Bank tellers get into trouble for accepting real money? Ohhhhh, I'd have been mad if they had said a single cross word to me.
{"commentId":8590408,"threadId":"641147","contentId":"3107778","authorDomain":"myriver"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":8628747,"authorDomain":"tellerfm"}
$500 bills are not in circulation anymore, they are legal tender but once they hit the bank they go to the federal reserve. Alot of tellers don't even recognize a counterfeit $10 or $20 let alone a $500 bill. Again there's rules for a reason.
{"commentId":8628747,"threadId":"641147","contentId":"3107778","authorDomain":"tellerfm"}
{"commentId":8594056,"authorDomain":"Loreli"}
I worked in a store where the employees were allowed to chase down shoplifters providing they were 18 and were willing. I LOVED chasing down and detaining the thiefs. I had one women get so pissy and tell me she didnt appreciate the way I handled her shoplifting. I told her I didnt appreciate her stealing from my store. Taking down shoplifters was probably the best part of my job their!!!
{"commentId":8594056,"threadId":"641147","contentId":"3107778","authorDomain":"Loreli"}
#5 - Mon Aug 3, 2009 2:25 AM EDT{"commentId":8620697,"authorDomain":"joegintn"}
I Worked at a store that also gave a bonus if you caught em, best day at work ever, i was in the parking lot heading back in and out comes dude running right in my direction, out comes manager screamin stop him, he did'nt even notice me side step onto the curb and pow jumpin round house kick about an inch under his throat, afterward they was all raggin me about being the karate kid, but to be at work and get to pound some dumbass into the ground, well, considering it was at work -priceless, sometimes these crooks should think about the pissed off employees who hate their boss, hate their co-workers and just cant wait until some moron comes along and lets them vent some tension, with a bonus check attached, also best part of job
{"commentId":8620697,"threadId":"641147","contentId":"3107778","authorDomain":"joegintn"}
{"commentId":8603036,"authorDomain":"insurance-expert-typepad-com"}
Here is a good blog on some of the issues around Key Bank's termination of Jim and what the FDIC will and will not insure:
{"commentId":8603036,"threadId":"641147","contentId":"3107778","authorDomain":"insurance-expert-typepad-com"}
- 1 vote
#6 - Mon Aug 3, 2009 3:46 PM EDT{"commentId":8603106,"authorDomain":"insurance-expert-typepad-com"}
As reported in the Seattle Times by Jennifer Sullivan a local Seattle bank teller, Jim Nicholson, at Key Bank was recently fired for chasing down a would-be bank robber.
Termination seems pretty harsh considering Jim not only prevented a bank robbery, but actually held the man down until the police arrived. Obviously, he may have been injured or injuries to others could have occurred as a result of his actions. I imagine Key Bank has a standard operating procedure for handling a bank robbery, and Jim did not follow those procedures putting others at risk. But I'm still finding it hard to believe that termination was the right move for Key Bank. Let's keep in mind that regardless of Jim, the would-be bank robber endangered lives when he walked into the bank and demanded money.
{"commentId":8603106,"threadId":"641147","contentId":"3107778","authorDomain":"insurance-expert-typepad-com"}
#7 - Mon Aug 3, 2009 3:49 PM EDT{"commentId":8608835,"authorDomain":"lulujunkbox"}
I feel great sympothy for Mr. Nicholson and commend him for his bravery !
But I can tell you that I worked for a major retailer for 15 years that would have done the same thing..
The reason for the policy is to (a) protect the employee from harm, and (b) More importantly for the company, to protect the company from a lawsuit if any harm should come to the employee...
You're a brave man Mr. Nicholson and I probably would have done the same thing myself given the situation and the adrenolin...I certainly hope that you find a better job...I'm thinking Law Enforcement ?
{"commentId":8608835,"threadId":"641147","contentId":"3107778","authorDomain":"lulujunkbox"}
#8 - Mon Aug 3, 2009 8:31 PM EDT{"commentId":8620964,"authorDomain":"joegintn"}
its simply cause the robber could sue the bank if he was injured in any fashion, same as if you walk into your house and a robber is in the house if you hurt them physically they can legally sue the landowner(you) for the damages, the bank would be liable, cause the employee represents the bank and under this stupid policy the crook could get paid for stealing money and be claimed as a victim, good story though, crap like this crook need what we once knew as a good ole ass whoopin, you know that thing we can't do anymore cause the victim will sue you
{"commentId":8620964,"threadId":"641147","contentId":"3107778","authorDomain":"joegintn"}
{"commentId":8614208,"authorDomain":"tellerfm"}
18 years as a branch employee. Turn the adrenaline rush around, what if the robber would have had that adrenaline rush and started shooting. From day one the employees of banks are trained not to challenge the robbers, just do what they want, get them out the door safely and then lock the doors. I'm glad I didn't work with this guy. Those antics are not funny, did Mr. Nicholson know what kind of reaction he would have gotten from this robber when he challenged the robber? Stupid, just another person that rules don't apply to him. Good choice Key Bank!
{"commentId":8614208,"threadId":"641147","contentId":"3107778","authorDomain":"tellerfm"}
#9 - Tue Aug 4, 2009 6:39 AM EDT{"commentId":8659369,"authorDomain":"mikeylikesitcamo"}
buddy you are a coward and an idiot.
{"commentId":8659369,"threadId":"641147","contentId":"3107778","authorDomain":"mikeylikesitcamo"}
{"commentId":8681023,"authorDomain":"tellerfm"}
Name calling? Please! Coward no! Brains yes! Can we say macho man with a control issue for you? You don't like authority figures either do you, mikey likes it camo?
{"commentId":8681023,"threadId":"641147","contentId":"3107778","authorDomain":"tellerfm"}
{"commentId":8621299,"authorDomain":"lizgrey"}
Yes, it could be dangerous, but discouraging people from fighting back worries me. I do not like the powers-that-be telling me to roll over and play nice. I say, go with what you feel is morally right; if you want to defend your bank, your custom,ers and "your" money, go for it. I'll take a well-meaning hero over a don't-rock-the-boat employee any day. It show you give a damn.
{"commentId":8621299,"threadId":"641147","contentId":"3107778","authorDomain":"lizgrey"}
#10 - Tue Aug 4, 2009 2:03 PM EDT{"commentId":8621513,"authorDomain":null}
I say hats off to the Bank Teller. the police can not be trusted to do the right thing. it's about time the average citizen stood up and said enough is enough. if more people did this, criminals would think twice about being so stupid. I say thank you Bank Teller.
{"commentId":8625161,"authorDomain":"whatg"}
If I was a customer of Key Bank, I'd move my account to some other bank.
{"commentId":8625161,"threadId":"641147","contentId":"3107778","authorDomain":"whatg"}
#12 - Tue Aug 4, 2009 4:51 PM EDT{"commentId":8627802,"authorDomain":"tellerfm"}
As a past bank employee that's the last thing I would want is a bank robber to get away but better yet I would like me to get away more so let the guy go. I wonder how many of you would feel that way if you or your family got killed or injured because this teller's reaction made this nitwit robber fire his gun. I don't want to encourage the robbers in this world either by letting them walk out the door but people need to use common sense. I'm sure if you were standing in that bank you would want that robber out the door as well. Rules are in place for a reason, in this case safety for all. Instead of jumping on the band wagon and saying screw "the man" (in this case the bank) think about what your reaction would be. What did the person look like, which way did he go, what was he driving. Let the people trained to do this, do it right.
{"commentId":8627802,"threadId":"641147","contentId":"3107778","authorDomain":"tellerfm"}
#13 - Tue Aug 4, 2009 7:08 PM EDT{"commentId":8645860,"authorDomain":"donna-lewis"}
If I knew the name of the bank, I would pull out my business. This happened last week at a Starbucks as well. Some low life stealing a purse, the employee enabled the police to capture him, and due to the employees chase he lost his job as it was against company policy. In my book, both of these men are Heroes! I will not drink another cup of Starbucks as lond as I breath - Not that I liked the burned coffee anyway!
If I owned my own company, both of these men would be hired sight unseen!
{"commentId":8645860,"threadId":"641147","contentId":"3107778","authorDomain":"donna-lewis"}
#14 - Wed Aug 5, 2009 4:31 PM EDT{"commentId":8655599,"authorDomain":"Hzzzz"}
If I had relatives in the bank branch at the time it's been robbed I would be extremely upset if the teller does anything other than attempting a peaceful resolution. Although this case ended in the robber not reacting by shooting th weapon that is not always the case. The teller's actions put personal heroics above the safety of others in the bank at the time and is rightly fired.
{"commentId":8655599,"threadId":"641147","contentId":"3107778","authorDomain":"Hzzzz"}
- 1 vote
#15 - Thu Aug 6, 2009 7:29 AM EDT{"commentId":8658850,"authorDomain":"rwwr"}
The would-be thief never had a gun, nor made any notion of having one. So him shooting would not be a problem.
{"commentId":8658850,"threadId":"641147","contentId":"3107778","authorDomain":"rwwr"}
- 1 vote
#16 - Thu Aug 6, 2009 11:09 AM EDT{"commentId":8681028,"authorDomain":"tellerfm"}
You know that now! Hind sight is always 20/20.
{"commentId":8681028,"threadId":"641147","contentId":"3107778","authorDomain":"tellerfm"}
{"commentId":8664237,"authorDomain":"ruthlessmoose"}
No good deed goes unpunished! lol
{"commentId":8664237,"threadId":"641147","contentId":"3107778","authorDomain":"ruthlessmoose"}
- 1 vote
#17 - Thu Aug 6, 2009 1:42 PM EDT{"commentId":8681035,"authorDomain":"tellerfm"}
His thought and intention was good but you can't always react.
{"commentId":8681035,"threadId":"641147","contentId":"3107778","authorDomain":"tellerfm"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":8734965,"authorDomain":"ruthlessmoose"}
As long as doing the right thing was worth his job... :/
I'd never chase a robber out of the bank I work at... that ain't my money! lol
{"commentId":8734965,"threadId":"641147","contentId":"3107778","authorDomain":"ruthlessmoose"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":8664262,"authorDomain":"iculookn1"}
Kudos to Jim for standing up and saying "NO MORE".
The sad part is that in this country no good deed goes unpunished.
{"commentId":8664262,"threadId":"641147","contentId":"3107778","authorDomain":"iculookn1"}
#18 - Thu Aug 6, 2009 1:42 PM EDT{"commentId":8664432,"authorDomain":"iculookn1"}
Kudos to Jim Nicholson for standing up and saying "NO MORE".
The sad part is that in this country no good deed goes unpunished.
{"commentId":8664432,"threadId":"641147","contentId":"3107778","authorDomain":"iculookn1"}
#19 - Thu Aug 6, 2009 1:47 PM EDT{"commentId":10420374,"authorDomain":"breelaboy"}
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