A pensioner’s plan to rob a Hollywood bank was derailed after he was hoodwinked into sitting in the lobby like a common customer while law enforcement made their way to the scene.
According to the FBI, 77 year old James Timothy Kelly, 77, walked into the bank and allegedly handed a teller a note that said, “Give me the money.”
The bank teller pretended not to see the note and handed a bank withdrawal slip to Kelly.
Kelly then stated, ‘I am not here for that. I am here to rob you’.
In response, the teller “pretended she was having computer issues and asked Kelly to take a seat,” at which point the defendant obliged and sat on a nearby chair.
According to the Hollywood Police Department, officers received an alert and arrived at the bank, entered through the back entrance and found Kelly sitting in the lobby.
After he was transferred to the FBI Miami field office for an interview, the man waived his right to remain silent and agreed to speak with agents.
He admitted to entering the bank, demanding money by means of intimidation, and failing in his attempt to rob the bank.
Kelly faces a maximum 20-year sentence on an attempted bank robbery charge.