A bank robbery was thwarted after the cashier convinced the man to take a seat – only for police to turn up and arrest him in the lobby.
The FBI said James Timothy Kelly entered PNC Bank in Hollywood, Florida carrying a mesh bag and handed over a note stating: “Give me the money.”
The employee pretended not to see it, according to an affidavit detailing the case, and instead gave him a withdrawal slip.
Kelly allegedly told her: “I am not here for that. I am here to rob you.”
“In fear of her safety and the safety of others around her, the victim bank teller pretended to have computer issues and asked Kelly to take a seat,” the affidavit states.
Kelly is said to have obeyed – but his compliance appears to have been fatal to his 7 July heist attempt.
Police had been called and entered through the bank’s back entrance, arresting the suspect after finding him sitting in the lobby.
The FBI said he was taken to its Miami office where he admitted trying to rob the bank.
He now faces a maximum 20-year sentence, according to local media.